Green Giant Fresh and Betty Crocker launch promotion
The Sholl Group II, a pioneer in the fresh produce industry, and General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products, announced the launch of a new spring promotion that combines two American classics: Green Giant Fresh Iceberg lettuce and Betty Crocker Bac- Os.
The program is a 55-cent instant-redeemable coupon that will be affixed to each wrapped head of Green Giant Fresh Iceberg lettuce. The coupon will offer instant savings on Green Giant Fresh Iceberg lettuce with the purchase of any Betty Crocker Bac-Os product.
Monterey Mushrooms signs five-year pact with UFW
Watsonville, CA-based Monterey Mushrooms Inc. signed a five-year contract with the United Farm Workers May 14 that involves the company's 650 full- time, year-round employees at its Royal Oaks, CA, facility.
The Royal Oaks facility -- which sits between Watsonville and Prunedale -- produces in excess of 750,000 pounds of fresh mushrooms per week, 52 weeks a year. Industry leader Monterey Mushrooms grows all its mushrooms on-site.
Colin Powell to speak at PMA convention
NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association announced that General Colin L. Powell (Ret.) will be the general session speaker Friday, Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the 2007 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition. The convention will be held Oct. 12-15 in Houston.
"We are both honored and excited that the Honorable Colin L. Powell has accepted our invitation. We are eagerly anticipating learning his view of leadership and how we can apply his insights to our own lives and businesses," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a May 22 statement.
Fruits and vegetables help trade grow between Canada and Mexico
MONTREAL -- Trade between Mexico and Canada increased 21 percent in 2006, thanks in large part to the agricultural products that Mexico sends to its northern neighbor.
T&A hopes to hit a home run with retail promotion
Tanimura & Antle is hoping consumers step up to the plate with a fork instead of a baseball bat, but with baseball and fathers -- and the company's Iceberg lettuce -- in mind.
The Salinas-based lettuce giant is introducing its "Hit A Home Run This Father's Day" retail promotion with Iceberg lettuce wrapped in a baseball theme. The idea is for T&A to stake a marketing claim to Father's Day as its own. It may be an easy fit for a company looking for a holiday and a holiday in need of a commodity.
Scott Horsfall named CEO of Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
Former California Grown Chief Executive Officer Scott Horsfall has been named to head the new California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.
The agreement has voluntary participation, and about 99 percent of the leafy greens production in California is accounted for under the agreement. Mr. Horsfall steps into the role "familiar with the requirements" of marketing agreements, he said. He will begin his new position May 29 and will be located in Sacramento, CA, although the exact location hadn't been determined as of Friday, May 18.
Ag groups pick critical window to lobby on immigration reform
WASHINGTON -- With the future of immigration reform hanging by a thread, 160 growers and producers descended on Congress May 16 to warn of the dire circumstances to an industry unable to find a legal workforce.
"There are consequences to you, the country, if Congress does nothing," warned Monte Lake, a legal advisor to the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform and an attorney with McGuiness & Williams.
Mr. Lake said that agricultural lobbyists should make Congress understand the impact of job losses if businesses fail due to labor problems.
Harvest Sensations to distribute Frog Hollow Farm products
Los Angeles-based Harvest Sensations and Brentwood, CA-based Frog Hollow Farm have entered into a national distribution agreement for all of Frog Hollow's fresh fruit and value-added fruit products, including purees, individually quick-frozen fruit slices and conserves.
Frog Hollow Farm grows multiple varieties of stone fruit including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, pluots and cherries.
U.S. Army approves Fit wash as produce sanitizer
After reviewing studies on Fit fruit and vegetable wash, the U.S. Army has approved it as an alternative sanitizer for fresh fruits and vegetables used by the military, a move that may clear the way for the Fit manufacturer to market the antibacterial product to government installations.
"We were approached by the manufacturer and found it worked," said Alphonso (Rick) Byrd of the Army Center for Excellence, Quality Assurance Division. The group, based in Fort Lee, VA, is in charge of providing food- safety advice for the military's worldwide foodservice program.
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California names new chairman
SALINAS, CA -- Kay Filice, owner of Filice Farms in Hollister, was named chairman of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California at its annual awards banquet Thursday, May 17, held at Corral de Tierra Country Club.
The award marks the first time in the association's 77-year history that a woman has ascended to the role. Ms. Filice served as vice chairman of the association for 2006-07.