New York Apple Association and Anthony Farms recognized at United conference
WASHINGTON -- A group known for tirelessly advocating immigration reform, the New York Apple Association received the 2007 Produce Advocate of the Year Award at the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference.
RETAIL VIEW: Unified Grocer acquisition creates significant growth
With the shareholders of Seattle-based grocery wholesaler Associated Grocers Inc. approving the sale of the company to Unified Western Grocers in Los Angeles, Unified has now moved into being one of the top-five retailer wholesalers in the country. And the close to 3,000 retailers it serves, in aggregate, create buying power that could be among the top 10 retail operations in the country.
Divemex goes year round on bell peppers
"As part of our greenhouse expansion, we've decided to bring the best bell peppers to the market year round," Luis de Saracho, chief executive officer of Mexican firm Divemex, said in a statement.
"We have grown our acreage in our facilities in Mexico, and the main idea is to have new plants in two stages of the year: one from October to May and a second from June to December. This is the only way to have fresh crops all year with the best shelf life."
SYSCO is taking produce safety requirements to higher level
SYSCO Corp. has unveiled an innovative program to extend real-time food safety data to the non-"SYSCO" branded produce the company offers. SYSCO's self-imposed requirement, which has always been in place for "SYSCO" and "FreshPoint" branded products, should reassure customers that they are purchasing products only from growers and shippers that have implemented stringent food-safety and traceability processes.
Dole recall remains limited to about 850 cases
A random sampling of a "Dole" brand "Hearts Delight" lettuce salad bag tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 in mid-September, causing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to issue a health warning and for Dole to recall about 850 cases of the product.
Washington insiders dish on farm bill, presidential election
WASHINGTON -- With the fight for the farm bill in full swing and the presidential election heating up, attendees of the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference heard an insider perspective during the Sept. 12-14 conference.
Grimmway rolls out new carrot packaging
Bakersfield, CA-based Grimmway Farms has refreshed the look of its packaging while at the same time bringing uniformity to its conventional line of carrots.
The packages are starting to hit store shelves now, and Grimmway will feature the entire line at the Produce Marketing Association's International Convention & Exposition to be held Oct. 12-15 in Houston.
The complete redesign of the "Grimmway" brand of carrots marks the first time the company has undertaken such a step in a long time, said Phil Gruszka, the company's vice president of marketing.
Prospects dim for AgJOBs, USDA secretary tells United meeting
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns did not have good news to share about the prospects of attaching a guest worker reform bill to the 2007 farm bill or when Congress would next find the political fortitude to revisit the issue.
Kicking off the United Fresh Produce Association's annual Washington Public Policy Conference on Sept. 13, Secretary Johanns commented on plans to add AgJOBs to the Senate version of the farm bill as a measure to relieve the worsening labor crisis.
New Dallas sales manager for Monterey Mushrooms
Derek Burt has assumed the account responsibilities as Monterey Mushrooms' Dallas sales manager. In this capacity, he will be working with the firm's Madisonville, TX, production facility.
Mr. Burt comes to the Texas branch after a successful period as the sales merchandiser of Monterey Mushrooms' Princeton, IL, farm, where he worked with key accounts such as Hy-Vee, Jewel, Schnucks, Lunds and Byerlys. He was actively involved with the Park City Group and several category management projects.
Harkin staffer says marketing orders not enough to assure food safety
WASHINGTON -- Marketing orders are not the way to regulate food safety, according to a staffer for Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who is expected to introduce his food-safety bill for the produce industry later this month.
Adela Ramos, a senior staff member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, was one of the congressional aides who spoke on food- safety issues at the Sept. 13 Washington Public Policy Conference sponsored by the United Fresh Produce Association.