PMA observes death of early advisor Robert Bull
NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the passing of Robert L. Bull, an influential force during the association's early years. Mr. Bull died Feb. 26 in Temple, ME.
A professor of marketing at the University of Delaware, Mr. Bull was the land grant university system's representative to the board of directors of the Produce Prepackaging Association, a predecessor to PMA, in the late 1950s.
Jim Nolan, longtime Ocean Spray executive, dies
Jim Nolan, who was the "fresh" face for Ocean Spray Cranberries for more than 20 years, died Sunday, March 2, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61.
At the time of his death, Mr. Nolan was vice president of The Nolan Network, a sales agency and marketing firm founded by his wife, Theresa Nolan.
IN THE TRENCHES: Change of season brings sales opportunities
Even though the chill of winter is still in our midst, it shouldn't prevent us from looking ahead to the spring and summer selling opportunities. Let's break away from the doom and gloom of a teetering economy and take a positive approach to devise ways to generate some massive produce sales in the coming months.
SPC conference smashes previous attendance figure
ORLANDO, FL -- More people than ever before attended the Southeast Produce Council's fifth annual conference and expo, smashing the previous mark by perhaps 200 or more, according to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees.
The exact numbers are not complete, but "at least 800 people" and perhaps as many as 900 attended the conference, dubbed Southern Exposure 2008, which took place Feb. 21-23, here, according to Mr. Vorhees.
USDA proposes a special 5 percent grape shatter allowance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a lowered grade standard for fresh table grapes.
The proposal was announced Feb. 26 in the Federal Register as the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service sought changes requested by the Fresno- based California Grape & Tree Fruit League to revise the tolerances to include an allowance for shattered berries. This proposal is offered due to the change of pack style from mostly plain pack to consumer-size units.
There is a 30-day comment period on these changes, with comments on the changes due to AMS by March 27.
Bob Wilkins of GPOD of Idaho moves into retirement mode
Bob Wilkins, chief executive officer of GPOD of Idaho, has called it a day after some 35 years with the company. Mr. Wilkins left his daily duties at the end of 2007, but the partner in the fresh-pack shipper has a five-year agreement to serve as a consultant.
GPOD of Idaho packs and ships Russet Burbank variety potatoes.
Mr. Wilkins said he plans to spend more time with his wife, DeAnne, and his children and grandchildren, and to spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing.
LGMA issues first status report
California's leafy greens industry has made "huge strides" in the past year, and the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement's first status report bears that out, according to LGMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Horsfall.
The agreement's first status report comes just seven months since government inspectors began conducting mandatory food-safety audits for LGMA members. The report details all audit findings from July through December 2007 as well as other actions undertaken since this unprecedented food-safety program was established.
New Jersey Department of Agriculture may be casualty of budget cuts
New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proposed a state budget that would cut spending by $500 million, reduce the workforce by about 3,000 people and close three departments, including the one that is most visible to the fresh produce industry: the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
The governor, who outlined his proposals in a speech to the New Jersey Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 26, also proposed closing the state departments of Commerce and Personnel, as well as cutting expenses for services such as hospitals and colleges.
Mango veteran Jimmy Burnette joins JC Tropicals
Produce industry veteran James (Jimmy) Burnette has joined the sales team at JC Tropicals in Homestead, FL, bringing 30 years of experience to the grower-shipper-wholesaler. Mr. Burnette, who officially came on board Feb. 22, will head the company's mango department.
Mann Packing launching Swing into Spring promotion
Mann Packing Co., based in Salinas, CA, is gearing up to Swing Into Spring with a new on-pack offer promotion.
Starting March 10, Mann will place instant redeemable coupons on 250,000 packages of its eight-ounce sugar snap peas and gourmet snow peas. This is one of five on-pack offers Mann is planning in 2008 to encourage trial and build sales of its cut-vegetable products.