RETAIL VIEW: Save Mart hopes to capitalize on Lucky name
Lucky Stores was a well-known and respected name in the California supermarket industry for many generations until Albertsons bought the chain and retired the name in 1999. Many thought that Albertsons should have kept the Lucky name, which had a better reputation than the Albertsons moniker, especially in Northern California. Albertsons has since sold most of its stores to Supervalu, and the 130-store Northern California division was recently purchased by Save Mart Supermarkets, a privately owned central California chain.
New vice president of federal government affairs to head WGA's Washington office
The new Washington, DC, office of Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association will be headed by Cathleen Enright, a trade negotiator who has represented American agriculture industry interests in her capacity as deputy assistant U.S. Trade Representative as well as previous positions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. State Department.
FPFC expo draws more than 1,000 attendees
ANAHEIM, CA -- More than 1,000 produce, floral and foodservice industry representatives attended the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo July 24 at the Disneyland Hotel, here.
The oldest event of its kind in the country, the expo is designed to give front-line personnel an inside glimpse at the produce and flowers they sell to consumers each day.
PMA and United Fresh endorse mandatory COOL program in farm bill
WASHINGTON -- First, Congress found $1.6 billion for specialty crop programs. Now, the same farm bill negotiators have struck a compromise on mandatory country-of-origin labeling that has earned the endorsement of the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association.
SALINAS SCENE: T&A pleased with Father's Day promotion
Lara Grossman, director of business and marketing development for Tanimura & Antle, said that the company's Father's Day retail promotion with Iceberg lettuce in a baseball themed cello wrap was a big hit.
T&A Chief Executive Officer Rick Antle had wanted a holiday associated with the company, and he chose to "own" Father's Day. So this was an "evergreen" promotion, not a one-time promotion just for this Father's Day holiday.
John Killeen rejoins T&A
John Killeen, vice president of sales and marketing for Salinas, CA-based NewStar Fresh Foods, has left the company to join Tanimura & Antle as its new vice president of business development.
Mr. Killeen had worked at Tanimura & Antle several years ago under Ken Silveira, T&A's current president and chief operating officer. Mr. Silveira said that he was sorry to see Mr. Killeen leave the first time and is glad to have him back.
COOL resurfaces as concerns about imports increase
WASHINGTON -- Daily headlines questioning the safety of Chinese food exports have fueled more calls on Capitol Hill to resuscitate the 2002 country-of-origin labeling law.
Currently, legislation that would fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture sets firm dates for implementing the country-of-origin labeling law for produce, peanuts and meat.
FPFC continues outreach efforts
As Linda Stine looks back on her 13-year career with the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, she is very proud of the trade association's efforts in reaching out to new constituencies.
The FPFC has done this by both expanding its geographical reach as well as its foray into produce industry categories. Ms. Stine, who is retiring at the end of the year, spoke with The Produce News a few days before the council's annual exposition, which was scheduled for July 24 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.
OPMA's Matthew Ecker looks to give back to produce industry
When Matthew Ecker looks back on his introduction to the produce industry, fond memories flood his mind. "I was three or four years old riding the forklift with my dad, that's what I'd look forward to every weekend," the 23-year-old Mr. Ecker said about his visits to the warehouse of Vineland Growers Co-Operative, where his dad, Michael, serves as vice president of sales and marketing.
Progressive Produce sees the light with new energy-efficient lights
Switching to more environmentally friendly light fixtures and lighting is a noble gesture for any company. When it saves money, increases the brightness of the facility and adds an element of worker safety as well, it is truly a win-win proposition.
"We have a green logo," said Jack Gyben, who is vice president of marketing and development for Progressive Produce Corp. in Los Angeles, as well as one of the company's owners. "But that green logo for us also represents our commitment to the environment and, in this case, the money we will save by making this switch."