Fresh From The Start's Maine broccoli deal a 'cut above the rest
RIVERHEAD, NY -- Fresh From The Start LLC is ready for another great season of its Maine broccoli.
Now in its 12th year, Fresh From The Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, expects to begin shipping broccoli from Caribou, ME, during the week of July 16.
Hannaford achieves organic retailer certification
Illustrating the company's commitment to providing shoppers with quality organic foods, Hannaford Bros. Co., which operates 159 supermarkets in the Northeast, recently announced that it had completed the rigorous process of becoming a certified organic retailer.
Hannaford is the only traditional supermarket in the Northeast to meet the strict guidelines of Quality Assurance International's Organic Certification Program for Retailers.
QAI is an independent, third-party group that verifies organic quality and integrity for organizations around the world.
Jim Gorny to head post-harvest center at UC-Davis
The Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center at the University of California-Davis has selected Jim Gorny, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the United Fresh Produce Association and former vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the International Fresh- cut Produce Association, to join the center in the new position of executive director.
David Gombas to lead United's food-safety team
The United Fresh Produce Association announced that David Gombas has been promoted to senior vice president for food safety and technology, leading all association activities and member services in the scientific and technical areas, a position held by Jim Gorny, who announced that he will leave the association at the end of the month to head the Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center at the University of California- Davis.
Steinbeck Country Produce now offering baby Iceberg lettuce
Steinbeck Country Produce is now offering baby Iceberg lettuce as a complement to its full line of vegetables. This specially developed variety produces grapefruit-size heads of Iceberg lettuce that the company says feature a sweeter, more flavorful taste than conventional Iceberg.
Foundation renamed to reflect specialty crop focus
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation has been renamed the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, Executive Director Mike Carlton announced. The name change is part of a reorganization that began when Mr. Carlton was named as the foundation's first full-time executive director in January.
"The new name clearly and succinctly focuses on the scope of the foundation's mission and membership," Mr. Carlton said in a statement.
Scott Zeier joins RJO
In a move that signals the company's continuing fresh approach to produce marketing, RJO Produce Marketing in Fresno, CA, announced the hiring of Scott Zeier as vice president.
RJO President John O'Rourke said that Mr. Zeier's 30-year retail produce career brings additional retail produce marketing expertise to the company.
California leafy greens bills die in legislature
Three food-safety bills drafted in response to last year's E. coli outbreak that was traced to Salinas Valley-grown leafy greens appear to have died in the California Legislature.
California state Sen. Dean Florez (D-16th) pushed the bills that would have created a new inspection system for leafy green growers and handlers through the Senate but could not drive them by Assembly member Nicole Parra, a critic of Mr. Florez's legislation and chair of the powerful Agriculture Committee.
RETAIL VIEW: Produce signage is an important decision with little empirical data to guide process
A good-sized U.S. grocery chain redid its produce signage a couple of years ago at a cost that probably came close to a half-million dollars -- if not more. "We did our research, got numerous bids and made our choice," said this chain's vice president of produce, who requested anonymity because going through the channels to get approval for public comments is a time- consuming process.
WGA presence shows force in the nation's capital
Western Growers Association, which recently opened an office in Washington DC, descended upon the nation's capital in large numbers the last week of June as it held a board meeting there for the first time.