DHS to revise 'no-match' rule by March
WASHINGTON -- A federal court has given the Bush administration until March 24 to revise its "no-match letter" regulation, and the Department of Homeland Security said it plans to publish a new proposal this month.
Hass Avocado Board names 2007-08 term officers, Len Francis named chairman
IRVINE, CA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture appointed new members to the federal Hass Avocado Board during the board's Nov. 28 meeting. The HAB board of directors then elected the new term's officers: Len Francis as chairman, Jim Donovan as vice chairman, Don Reeder as treasurer (re-elected) and Ed Figueroa as secretary (re-elected). The officers will serve a one-year term ending November 2008.
FPAA members select search committee, finalize job description for new president
NOGALES, AZ -- At the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' board of directors meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4, members organized a selection committee to oversee the task of finding a candidate to fill the president's position for the association.
Distributor and retailer drop China-sourced fresh ginger
WASHINGTON -- Christopher Ranch Foods, based in Gilroy, CA, said that it has stopped sourcing fresh ginger from China after last summer's discovery of harmful pesticides and has switched to Brazilian varieties.
"No Chinese ginger will be brought in until they figure out what's going on" with the country's food-safety programs, said Bill Christopher, managing partner of Christopher Ranch. The company said that it now sources from Brazil half the year and Hawaii the other half, and it conducts its own tests for contaminants.
With slow import start, Fisher Capespan anticipates South Africa
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- With the Chilean fruit deal running two weeks late and the Brazilian grape deal over, Marc Solomon, president of Fisher Capespan, is anxiously awaiting the new year and the start of grape imports from South Africa.
Furthermore, "Spanish clementine volume is down. It's a frustrating time" for retailers and their importers, who are located along the Delaware River waterfront.
Tanimura & Antle scores touchdown for Iceberg lettuce
SALINAS, CA -- Tanimura & Antle knocked one out of the park for Father's Day. Now the company is at it again, providing its customers a great toolkit to feature Iceberg lettuce during the winter football season in its Get A Head In The Game! retail promotion.
Jango Mango races for healthy living in Marine Corps Marathon
The National Mango Board, based in Orlando, FL, participated as a sponsor at the Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 27 and 28 in Washington, DC, and took the opportunity to debut Jango Mango, its new mascot and mango ambassador. The marathon was comprised of two main events: Camp Miles (children's race) and the official marathon.
Colorful Harvest debuts pack
SALINAS, CA -- Colorful Harvest, based here, has rolled out packaging that it anticipates will help it move more berries in the marketplace while offering conveniences to its customers.
The company has rolled out a display-ready bulk eight-pounder box with a safety seal and a berry combo pack that is a 34-ounce clamshell pack in two- count or four-count configurations.
Supreme Cuts launches year-round, off-the-cob fresh kernel corn
Mahwah, NJ-based Supreme Cuts, a premier processor and distributor of high-quality pre-cut vegetables, has become the first company to manufacture fresh off-the-cob corn.
The new product, "Off the Cob" fresh kernel corn, is the brand name for the new product, which boasts a 14-day shelf life. This new product will be an important and innovative option for supermarket chains and the foodservice industry, which will now be able to offer customers the benefits of fresh kernel corn year-round in convenient "off the cob" presentation.
Wayne McKnight to leave Wal-Mart in early 2008 to return to Canada
Wayne McKnight, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s vice president of global procurement-food, has decided to leave his position and return to his roots in Canada in early 2008.