On-line produce auction is getting another try
A group of Arizona produce and technology experts believe the time is ripe to launch an on-line produce auction once again.
A decade ago, the trade show convention floors were crowded with on-line trading companies expecting to make millions pushing the produce industry into on-line trading. Although buyers and sellers have embraced the Internet as an excellent communication tool in which to complete transactions, the buying and selling of produce between unknown buyers and sellers never materialized.
2007-08 PMA retail board takes office
HOUSTON -- During the Produce Marketing Association's 2007 International Convention & Exposition, here, the association's 2007-08 Retail Division board of directors took office. Led by Chairman Michael O'Brien, vice president of produce and floral at Schnuck Markets Inc. in St. Louis, the members of the retail board of directors are:
Taylor to lead 2007-08 PMA board of directors
HOUSTON -- During the Produce Marketing Association's 2007 International Convention & Exposition, here, the 2007-08 PMA board of directors took office Thursday, Oct. 11. Chairman of the Board Bruce Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Taylor Farms California Inc. in Salinas, CA, is joined by three other officers and 23 directors. "We are fortunate to have Bruce's experience and dedication harnessed to lead our 2007-08 board of directors," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in an Oct. 12 statement.
Trade groups to join forces on traceability initiative
The Produce Marketing Association, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association plan to form a joint Produce Traceability Initiative to drive broad adoption of consistent traceability best practices throughout the produce supply chain.
Government backs start-up of new eco-label stone fruit venture
FreshSense, a newly formed tree fruit marketing entity based in Parlier, CA, announced that it has received nearly $300,000 in federal grant funds to help fund start-up of the firm's new eco-labeled stone fruit product to be marketed under the brand name "Zeal."
James Desiderio Inc. continues to grow with new facility and offices
Jim Desiderio is always thinking about the future.
The vice president of sales for James Desiderio Inc., the company founded by his grandfather in Buffalo, NY, and one of the larger wholesalers in western New York, said that the firm has now settled into the first floor of the new three-story, 18,000-square-foot office building it moved into at the end of July.
The second and third floors will remain empty for now, but they will give the family-owned-and-operated company room for future growth, both literally and figuratively.
Third generation takes the wheel at Sunnyside Packing
Brad and Todd Hirasuna are brothers working together at Sunnyside Packing in Selma, CA, a company that was founded by their grandfather in 1948 as a strawberry exchange. Brad, 27 and a resident of Fresno, CA, graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and received his master's degree two years later in that discipline from the same institution. Todd, 24, is a 2005 graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo with a bachelor's degree in agribusiness. He lives in Reedley.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: To brand or not to brand -- that is the question
Branding has become the social phenomenon of the day, and the produce industry is certainly no stranger to this ever-broadening trend. But what does branding mean for the produce industry? Can you brand broccoli, lettuce or eggplant? Looking at other brands like Campbell's Soup ("MMMMMM Good!"), Nike ("Just do it!") and Volvo ("Powered by Perceptions"), it's the promise and the keyword ownership that are the essence of the brand - the promise to be Campbell Soup "wholesome," Nike "inspired" and Volvo "safe."
IN THE TRENCHES: Make the best use of your time at trade shows
Can you remember the first industry trade show you ever attended? What was your impression of it?
At my first event, I was both surprised and impressed at the tremendous size of the produce industry based on the crowd of people, number of exposition booths, educational workshops and exciting social functions. It was a very memorable trade show for me.
Zagory named director of Center for Produce Safety
The new Center for Produce Safety at the University of California-Davis has named Devon Zagory as interim executive director.
The center was established earlier this year to work with the agricultural and food industries, government regulatory agencies, trade associations, research institutions and consumer groups to enhance the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables through research, education and information exchange.