Grapes to be major component of SGS program
TRAVER, CA -- Knowing the Scattaglia name, one might expect that the newly formed Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC, here, will be a major shipper of stone fruit. After all, Louis Scattaglia, managing partner of SGS, is an owner of Scattaglia Farms in Littlerock, CA, a 30-year-old farming operation that produces more than 1 million boxes of stone fruit that will be marketed through SGS in addition to at least another 1.5 million boxes of California stone fruit from a small number of sizable growers.
L&M founder to be honored with inaugural SPC award
The Southeast Produce Council has chosen Joe McGee, a 50-year veteran of the fresh produce industry and founder of L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, to be the inaugural recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award will be presented Saturday, Feb. 23 at the council's annual conference and trade show, known as Southern Exposure 2008, set for Feb. 21-23 at the Caribe Royale Resort & Conference Center in Orlando, FL. The Produce News, a co-sponsor of the new award, will make the presentation during the keynote lunch.
Mexico Calidad Suprema expanding U.S. marketing with in-store demos
Heading into its U.S. marketing program's second year, Mexico Calidad Suprema is shifting focus to hands-on, in-store pilot activities, according to Lizeth Quintero, executive director of the organization.
From her Mexico City office, Ms. Quintero said, "Last season we had unexpected positive reaction and support for our efforts. Importantly, we recently received EurepGAP certification, and Wal-Mart USA Global Procurement has accepted MCS as an approved food-safety program for their vendors. Now we want to see how the shoppers react to our efforts."
Burger King possibly buckling from CIW pressure
A Jan. 15 story from the Associated Press reported that Burger King may stop buying tomatoes from southwestern Florida because of pressure put on the company by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. The coalition has campaigned for the past year to try to get Burger King to join Yum Brands (Taco Bell) and McDonald's in paying a premium on tomatoes from state growers.
Tim York named to Center for Produce Safety board
The Center for Produce Safety at the University of California-Davis has named Tim York, president of Salinas, CA-based Markon Cooperative, as chairman of the center's new board of advisors.
With 30 industry, academic and regulatory members named to the advisory board of the center, UC Davis is poised to further advance its research and education partnerships on foodborne illnesses like E. coli.
Good ag practices dominate discussions at CCOF conference
PACIFIC GROVE, CA -- Food safety and what is viewed as a set of good agricultural practices that was imposed on the industry by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement carried the discussions Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the California Certified Organic Farmers conference held here at the Asilomar Conference Center.
Philadelphia distributor dies while skiing in Colorado
Philadelphia produce distributor Mark Stout died Jan. 15 while skiing in Steamboat Springs, CO. He was 45 and was the owner of Eckert's Produce Co. on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market.
Mann teams with Kraft for winter promotion
This winter, Mann's "Broccoli Wokly" is getting a new partner: Kraft grated parmesan cheese.
Cal Giant introduces new name and new logo
Watsonville, CA-based California Giant Inc. has officially changed its name to California Giant Berry Farms.
The name shift provides a much broader umbrella and descriptive image of the company. "California Giant Berry Farms" has served as a marketing tag line for the last two seasons, but until now was not incorporated into the company's complete business. The new logo and name will be integrated into all company media during 2008, including product packaging, the company web site, brochures and letterhead.
Mexican avocado imports rise to meet U.S. market demand
Demand for Hass avocados in the United States has more than doubled over the last seven years and now stands at around 1 billion pounds annually. Most of that volume comes from three sources: California, Mexico and Chile.
A year ago, California avocados were hit hard by a freeze, which reduced an already smaller crop than the previous year's bumper harvest. As a result, the 2007 California shipping season ended early.