Earthbound Farm expands specialty greens line
San Juan Bautista, CA-based Earthbound Farm, a leading U.S. grower and shipper of organic produce and specialty salads, is expanding its specialty greens line with fresh-cut salad choices and sizes.
Baby spinach blend is a mix of baby spinach, baby arugula and red radicchio. Baby arugula blend features mild baby arugula, savory fris?e and spicy radicchio. M?che blend combines nutty m?che with fris?e and radicchio.
PMA forms Australia-New Zealand Country Council
The Produce Marketing Association has established an Australia-New Zealand Country Council with member representatives from both countries.
Speaking at the first council meeting May 21 in Sydney, Australia, Alicia Calhoun, director of industry technology and standards for PMA, said that the association aimed to ensure its products, services and events are relevant to current and potential members in both countries.
USDA study shows grapes may provide protection against Type I diabetes
FRESNO, CA -- Researchers are continuing to discover new ways in which a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is beneficial to health and helps ward off diseases. One new study, which appeared in the May 2007 issue of Journal of Nutrition, shows that "grapes may slow the progression of Type I Autoimmune Diabetes in lab mice," according to a press release from the California Table Grape Commission.
'SlimCados' poised to make strong comeback for Brooks Tropicals
When Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma hammered south Florida in 2005, they caused extensive damage to every crop that was in bloom, fruiting or planted, including avocados. It has taken two years to recover, but Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, is celebrating the first great crop of Florida avocados since the storms.
President Bush signs funds for disaster assistance
WASHINGTON -- The wrestling match between Congress and President Bush on Iraq war funding ended when the president signed the bill May 25 to pay for military operations and the long-awaited $3 billion in emergency disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers.
Joe Pezzini named ag leadership award winner
SALINAS, CA -- A committee of his peers has selected Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations of Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, as the Salinas Valley Chamber's 2007 Agricultural Leadership Award winner.
The Agricultural Leadership Award is part of the tradition established in 1990 by the Salinas Valley Chamber to acknowledge the individual, company, group, association or agency that has made the most significant contribution to the agricultural community in the Salinas area. The award winners are chosen by a committee made up exclusively of past award recipients.
Florida Tomato Growers Exchange takes on Yum! Brands mandate
In response to a May 18 announcement by Yum! Brands Inc. that it has expanded its tomato deal with a Florida farmworker group to cover all its restaurant chains, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food Restaurants, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange is urging its members to not participate in any labor deal that requires tomato companies to adhere to terms and conditions for its employees set by unaffiliated organizations.
Sandy Watts joins Progreso Produce
Progreso Produce in Boerne, TX, a leading grower-shipper in the Texas/ Mexico import corridor, has hired Sandy Watts as its new general manager.
Mr. Watts comes to Progreso with 25 years of experience in the produce industry, having worked in both Florida and Texas with direct experience in citrus, melons and Mexican imports.
Greenhouse companies merge
B.C. Hot House and Greenhouse Produce Co. LLC recently merged to form a consolidated company, Pan American Foods LLC.
A May 18 announcement indicated that the new operation would be headed by President Brian Beggs of B.C. Hot House and Vice President Fried De Schouwer of Greenhouse Produce. Mr. De Schouwer will handle sales and marketing, which will be done under the "B.C. Hot House" brand.
"New in name only, Pan American Foods LLC merges two greenhouse industry leaders, bringing together over 30 years of growing and marketing experience," the announcement stated.
Bruce Peterson enters the consulting arena -- for now
"I'm the world's worst consultant," joked former Wal-Mart produce and perishables executive Bruce Peterson. "Ninety percent of the people I have talked to, I have convinced them that they don't need me."