Committee urges USDA to support unified food-safety standards
WASHINGTON -- Produce trade associations have called for federal food safety oversight, and now the Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee approved a new resolution that calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advocate for unified food-safety standards.
RETAIL VIEW: Store brands finding niche in produce department
There is nothing new about the idea of a store brand or a private label, but experts say the concept has evolved significantly in the last decade, and now retailers use it largely to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Air Force sergeant wears 'Grown in Idaho' seal with pride
A five-pound bag of Idaho potatoes isn't the only place to find the "Grown in Idaho" seal. While stationed in Guam, Technical Sergeant Ben David, who is currently stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, had the famous "Grown in Idaho" seal tattooed on his right shoulder.
"A couple years ago, I looked at the 'Grown in Idaho' seal and thought, 'Hey, I'm grown in Idaho, too,'" said Mr. David. "I am extremely proud of my Idaho roots and am not afraid to show it. To me, the seal not only means great potatoes, it means a great state, a great way of life and something to be proud of."
Ownership change brings new energy to RLB
WEST CALDWELL, NJ -- Spirits were high at RLB Food Distributors LP here, in mid-May as company staff celebrated an ownership change that placed two well-liked executives at the helm of the firm.
As The Produce News met with Floyd Avillo and Pat Mele III, who had just purchased all the company's stock, the staff coincidentally threw a congratulatory party for the new owners.
Seald Sweet to round out citrus program for Imagination Farms
Imagination Farms has expanded its premium "Disney Garden" program by adding Vero Beach, FL-based Seald Sweet International. This addition defines the Disney Garden citrus program by coupling Seald Sweet International with SunWest Fruit Co. to offer a year-round program from California, Texas, Florida and all major offshore regions.
Dole Food Co. sees change at the top
Dole Food Co., based in Westlake Village, CA, announced June 5 that Richard Dahl, president and chief operating officer, has left the company to pursue other interests.
David DeLorenzo, a long-time Dole executive, has been named president and CEO. Mr. DeLorenzo, who has been with Dole for 37 years, previously served as president, COO and vice chairman of the board.
David Murdock, owner of the privately held company, has relinquished his CEO title but remains chairman of the board.
Immigration reform appears stalled in Senate
WASHINGTON -- Prospects for a legal, stable workforce appear to be dimming for U.S. agriculture with news that the compromise immigration reform bill was taken off the Senate floor Thursday night, June 7, after Senate leaders tried unsuccessfully to limit debate on the measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the bill after senators twice voted against a motion to cut off debate. Armed with a list of amendments, some aimed at killing the bill, Sen. Reid had planned to push for a final vote on the measure this week (June 4-8).
Jerry Grindell, longtime retailer and a dedicated member of the EPC, was 71
Jerry Grindell, a longtime member of the retail produce industry but perhaps best known for his tireless work with the Eastern Produce Council, died Friday, June 1, following a four-year battle with cancer. He was 71 years old and a resident of Brooklyn, NY.
Mr. Grindell was born Oct. 5, 1936, in Manhattan, where he graduated from high school and then a local community college. He got his first job in the produce industry when he was 9 years old working at a fruit store in Coney Island, NY, his wife, Arline, told The Produce News.
New bilingual shopping guide seeks to improve nutrition for Latinos
?Usted no habla ingl?s?
Produce professionals should remember that many U.S. consumers do not speak English, especially those in the large and growing Latino communities. This group also faces many nutritionally related health issues that, as a culture, did not afflict its members when they lived in their homelands.
Mexico's 2007 mango imports expected to peak during July
Although June is typically the heaviest production period for Mexican mangos, U.S. distributors said that the peak of the season will most likely come in July as the Nayarit and Sinaloa production areas are a couple of weeks later than usual.