Arvin grape harvest to start earlier with good volume and quality
Following a light, late-starting grape season in 2006, California grape growers are anticipating a 2007 season that more nearly mirrors 2005 although not quite matching 2005's record volume.
California shipped around 96 million boxes of grapes in 2005. The California Table Grape Commission is estimating the total 2007 crop to be a little less than that, possibly somewhere in the low 90s.
While the crop will be larger than last year, "I haven't heard anybody say it is going to be massive," said Jim Howard, communications director for the commission.
Growers see good crop of California garlic as harvest gets underway
California's garlic harvest is now underway in the Coachella Valley, and preparations were being made for the harvest in the San Joaquin Valley when The Produce News talked with some garlic growers and packers on Monday, June 18.
"The California crop looks good this year," with "nice size" and "about average" yields, said Kelly Marione, division manager for Orlando-based Spice World at the company's Coalinga, CA, plant.
Onions a growth industry for New Mexico
The development of a successful onion industry in New Mexico isn't a pipe dream. Interest, a sense of vision and a "can-do" attitude have turned the vegetable into a viable part of the state's annual agricultural economy.
During peak harvest periods in June and July, New Mexico supplies as much as half of all dry onions consumed in the United States during those summer months.
Land devoted to onion production in New Mexico has grown significantly. A few hundred acres were utilized for onion production in 1930, and that figure increased to around 3,000 acres by 1980.
RETAIL VIEW: Whole Foods president takes on FTC
A very public fight has erupted in the usually polite regulatory world as the president of Whole Foods Market has taken on the Federal Trade Commission because it opposes the acquisition of Wild Oats Markets by the country's largest natural foods retail chain. Whole Foods, which has a policy against talking to the trade press and is typically quiet about its operations, has launched an all-out attack on the FTC through a blog written by President John Mackey and available on the company's web site (www.wholefoods.com).
Canada imposes import requirements on eight California counties
Canada imposed import requirements on the eight California counties where the light brown apple moth has been spotted and identified in the United States. The requirements went into effect June 25.
South African citrus season begins
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- The season's first break-bulk refrigerated ship carrying South African citrus lifted pallets onto the dock of Gloucester Terminal LLC, here, June 19.
The ship carried fruit for seven importers, according to Tom Mastromarco, director of fruit marketing and customer service at the Gloucester Terminal. Among the brands represented in the terminal's warehouse were "Unifrutti," "Darling Clementine" and "Seald Sweet."
The Produce Exchange to market 'Emeril's Gourmet Produce
Chef Emeril Lagasse, Pride of San Juan and The Produce Exchange have restructured the "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" line so that The Produce Exchange is the exclusive sales, marketing and distributing agent for the brand.
The Produce Exchange, based in Livermore, CA, will lead new product development of the brand. Pride of San Juan will continue to manage the primary farming operations, and Mr. Lagasse will oversee the brand, new products and recipe development.
Kingsburg's new kosher line opens new sales potential for stone fruit
Enabling retailers to capitalize on the growing popularity of certified kosher food products, Kingsburg Orchards has introduced a new line of kosher fruit that includes peaches, plums, nectarines, Asian apple pears, Pluots, apriums, apricots, apples, persimmons, kiwifruit and avocados.
The new certified kosher product line is the latest innovation from the Kingsburg, CA-based farming and marketing organization, which was among the early firms to introduce white flesh tree fruit, Asian apple pears and Pluots, including the unique "Dinosaur Egg" Pluot.
Drinking your lunch -- from the fresh produce department
Most trends that change the landscape of produce departments evolve somewhat gradually. One major chain will make a noticeable display or arrangement change that proves successful, and soon another chain follows suit. Often the changes have their roots at small independent retailers, especially gourmet-level stores that do not have set corporate guidelines and more freedom to make creative changes. That is how, for example, produce departments were ultimately moved from the rear of stores to the front.
USDA reopens the comment period for COOL
WASHINGTON -- Produce companies have 60 days to comment on changes the U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering for the country-of-origin labeling program that goes into effect for perishables in September 2008.
USDA changed key definitions for COOL when it issued a final rule for fish and shellfish, so the agency is weighing whether to extend the changes to the other commodities.