National Watermelon Month among many initiatives unveiled at NWA convention
ORANGE BEACH, AL -- Southern hospitality was in abundant supply for the 420 attendees of the National Watermelon Association's 94th annual convention, who were treated to a "slice of paradise" Feb. 20-24, here, at the Perdido Beach Resort.
The association and the National Watermelon Promotion Board both unveiled several new initiatives during the convention, the most notable of which was a congressional resolution proclaiming July as National Watermelon Month.
Ideal Sales president loses battle with cancer
James L. LaBarba, president and co-founder of Dallas-based produce brokerage firm Ideal Sales Inc., died Feb. 22 at his home in Dallas after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 66.
The first of six children, Mr. LaBarba was born Sept. 30, 1941 in Dallas to Zula C. and Carlo P. LaBarba. He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 1959 and from Southern Methodist University in 1966. Throughout his early childhood and college years, Mr. LaBarba worked for the family produce business, American Produce, which was founded by his grandfather in 1917.
Gills Onions acquires new packing and cooling facility
Gills Onions has completed the purchase of a 200,000-square-foot packing and cold storage facility in San Joaquin, CA, that will supplement onion production at its Oxnard, CA, headquarters location.
Cuban politics will eventually affect U.S. produce trade
Fidel Castro's Feb. 19 resignation as president of Cuba will likely influence the face of the U.S. produce trade.
One industry source suggested that Cuban soil might create new production opportunities for Florida growers, while another source expects the inevitable exports of Cuban produce to the United States will inevitably hurt growers in Mexico and Central America.
HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE: Avocado health benefit awareness is paradigm shift
Remember when avocados weren't good for you? Well, actually, they were always good for you, but there was a time when lots of food writers and even nutritionists didn't think so. Because of their high oil content, they were thought to be fattening and hard on the arteries, so to speak.
Global Juices & Fruits changes juice label
Guys ogled, women frowned and in the end, the label featuring an updated, attractive Mother Nature in her mid-20s was banished from the fruit juice line of Eagle, ID-based Global Juices & Fruits LLC.
The Mother Nature graphic was replaced in January by artwork deemed more appropriate: depictions of pomegranates and fruits such as cranberries, blueberries and mangos that are mixed with pomegranate juice to form the "Earthly Delights" line.
"[Mother Nature] wasn't sultry but she was attractive," said Chuck Watson, president of Global Juices & Fruits.
Four Seasons' logistics company blossoming
Four Seasons Produce, a full-line produce distributor based in Ephrata, PA, expanded its service offerings to customers in the summer of 2006 when it formed Sunrise Logistics.
Now, a year-and-a-half later, the wholly owned subsidiary of Four Seasons is making a name for itself in the industry for the breadth of high-level service it offers.
UPGA announces 2008 Potato Partners
United Potato Growers of America announced the expansion of its Potato Partners program at the second annual North American Potato Grower Summit held Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, NV.
President and Chief Executive Officer Lee Frankel told The Produce News that the 2008 program is comprised of three partners. This is the second year of participation for WinField Solutions. New to the program this year are Bayer CropScience and AMVAC Chemical Corp.
Food-safety seminar kicks off NWA convention
ORANGE BEACH, AL -- One of the more important facets of any food-safety or traceability program is documenting what has been done and then keeping accurate records of it, points which were stressed by speakers at the National Watermelon Association's second annual food-safety seminar, which kicked off its 94th annual convention, held here Feb. 20 at the Perdido Beach Resort.
Oppenheimer recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies
At the venerable age of 150, The Oppenheimer Group, based in Vancouver, BC, holds a number of distinctions, including its designation by the Vancouver Historical Society as British Columbia's oldest currently operating company as well as its recent elevation to Platinum Club status as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies.