Florida growers brace for freeze
The National Weather Service issued a freeze watch Jan. 1 for all of southern Florida that was expected to last from 48 to 72 hours. The posting warned that "a significant and damaging freeze is likely" in most areas.
Low temperatures were forecast for the morning of Jan. 3 and were expected to dip into the lower 20s in the northern interior part of the state and into the mid-30s along the southeast coastline. One meteorologist in southeast Florida predicted snow flurries near the coastline early Thursday morning.
It's important to know your products' story
The change of seasons brings predictable new challenges and opportunities to consider, and the same can be said of the annual cycle of the floral business.
As the industry gears up for its annual push toward Valentine's Day, weather in the production areas will be watched carefully. Retailers in the Northeast will pray for much better weather than last year. The supply chain will struggle with extraordinarily high volumes. And, unfortunately, consumers may be bombarded with negative messages, usually misleading, about how flowers are grown and cared for.
Growers Express and Capurro enter partnership
Salinas, CA-based Growers Express and nearby Moss Landing, CA-based Capurro Farms have reached an agreement on a partnership, according to Woody Johnson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Growers Express LLC.
The partnership agreement, which was reached on Christmas Eve, forms a strong company with wide market reach, innovative products and a diverse farming base. Under the agreement, Capurro Farms will continue to grow its usual range of products, and Growers Express will continue in its selling, marketing and distributing capacity.
Connecticut governor announces over $800,000 in agriculture viability grant awards
HARTFORD, CT -- Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced $823,636 in grant funds to help expand and advance the state's agricultural economy. The grants are administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
The funds will go to 14 agricultural producers, two non-profit agricultural organizations and 16 municipalities throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grant program.
Paul Frederic emerges at To-Jo after tiring of retirement
Paul Frederic's retirement was fun while it lasted.
The 30-year veteran of the mushroom industry traveled for two years and did the other activities retired people are supposed to do. Then, missing the challenges of the mushroom business, he decided it was time to go back to work.
Melissa's excited about Korean pear program
Korean pears increase in popularity and consumption year after year in the United States, but not every Korean pear is truly sensational. Melissa's/World Variety Produce in Los Angeles runs its supply from November through March each year, and the response from customers is consistently great.
"We offer crisp, sweet, flavorful and larger-sized pears than most," said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's. "They are considered a premium variety, and are special not only because of the production process but also because they make a beautiful presentation."
Mexico opens border to California spinach to LGMA members only
SACRAMENTO, CA -- Mexico has announced that it will once again allow imports of California spinach but is requiring that any imported spinach products must by grown and shipped by member-companies of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.
Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks announced the import requirements in late November. Canada issued similar import requirements earlier this year.
Julian Lipschitz and Mike Weaver join Dayka & Hacket LLC
Dayka & Hackett LLC in Reedley, CA, has expanded its sales team with the hiring of two high-profile industry veterans, Julian Lipschitz and Mike Weaver, in what the company characterized as "a dramatic shift within the California grape and tree fruit marketing community." According to a company press release, "the move is expected to significantly bolster Dayka & Hackett's market share" in the grape and tree fruit categories.
Senate approves farm bill with new specialty crop funding
WASHINGTON -- After the measure seemed hopelessly stalled, the Senate passed the 2007 farm bill Dec. 14, which will benefit fruit and vegetable growers, not in direct subsidies but in new funding for marketing, research and nutrition programs.
"After months of negotiations, we were able to work within a very strict budget allocation to complete our work and pass a farm bill that is good for agriculture, good for rural areas and good for the health of Americans," Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) said Dec. 14.
Chilean fruit volumes ramping up as December winds down
The Chilean fresh fruit season is kicking into high gear as the first ships from Valparaiso arrive in U.S. ports.