Mushroom industry continues to face difficult times
"As a result of farm closures, fewer imports and rising production costs, the supply of mushrooms dropped late last year and has not yet recovered to previous levels. This, coupled with weather-related production challenges, resulted in across-the-board increases in the prices paid to growers," said Laura Phelps, president of the American Mushroom Institute, based in Washington, DC.
Colorful Harvest lands exclusive 'Green Giant Fresh' melon deal
SALINAS, CA -- Colorful Harvest, based here, is now the exclusive grower- shipper for "Green Giant Fresh" melons nationwide.
The deal -- which had been in the works for about a year -- was completed Thursday morning, May 3. Colorful Harvest began shipping cantaloupe and honeydew out of Tampa, FL, and Brawley, CA, on May 7, Colorful Harvest Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Doug Ranno told The Produce News.
Other California shipping points are Mendota and Firebaugh, and melons also will ship from Yuma, AZ, and Maricopa, AZ.
HydroSerre Mirabel, T&A and Next Vegetable join forces on new greenhouse lettuce deal
MONTREAL -- Three major North American lettuce growers are seeing green in their respective futures.
HydroSerre Mirabel, Tanimura & Antle and Next Vegetable, a Mexican grower that was formerly known as Vegetlan, announced strategic alliances and partnerships, here, at a reception May 9 at the W Hotel.
White asparagus gaining in popularity
A delicacy in Europe, white asparagus is gaining in popularity in the United States, and at least two companies are particularly reaping the benefits.
Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties Inc. is enjoying strong growth in its year-round white asparagus program, said Charlie Eagle, the company's vice president of business development.
Mr. Eagle said that Easter typically is a good promotional holiday for white asparagus. Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day also serve as good holidays for the item.
Grand old stadium serves as setting for NEPC season finale
BOSTON -- The New England Produce Council hit a home run with its final dinner meeting of the season, held May 9, here, at the home of the city's beloved Red Sox. The event was sponsored by Sunny Valley International, based in Glassboro, NJ.
Eagle has landed -- again -- clouding future of new Philly market
PHILADELPHIA -- The story begs a pun related to the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.
But the saga of the future of a new fresh fruit and vegetable market for Philadelphia is so incongruous and unpredictable that it is time to move beyond puns.
"The eagle has returned to the property," a dead-serious Jimmy Storey told The Produce News May 9 shortly after he met with the board of the Philadelphia Fresh Food Terminal Corp. Mr. Storey, who is president of the board, owns Quaker City Produce on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Center.
Superior product, sound environmental practices ring strongly for Peri & Sons
CHICAGO -- Representatives from Peri & Sons Farms Inc., based in Yerington, NV, took advantage of floor space at the 2007 United Fresh Produce Association's Fresh Marketplace trade show, here, to tell visitors about exciting new developments at the company.
Peri & Sons began its operations in 1979, and today the family-owned company grows premium white, yellow, red and sweet onions at its 1,800- acre operation.
Pet food recall spurs Senate to pass major food safety changes
WASHINGTON -- Daily headlines on the widening pet food recall pushed the U.S. Senate to pass a prescription drug safety bill May 9 that would give the Food & Drug Administration new, far-reaching authority over food safety.
By a vote of 94-0, the Senate approved an amendment that would establish an early warning and notification system for human and pet foods, establish fines for companies that don't promptly report contaminated products, improve inspections and monitoring of imports, and set pet food safety standards.
IN THE TRENCHES: Customers decide industry winners and losers
Is your customer focus faltering? Has it lost steam lately? Then you had better pay attention.
Have you ever had a day when suddenly the company apple cart tilts and totally collapses? That is called a crisis, and that is when we all run over to the cart, stare at it, then have a meeting to discuss how to fix it.
There is only one problem: After the meeting, everyone begins concentrating on apple carts and only apple carts.
Wal-Mart opens first of seven Supercenters in Ontario
Wal-Mart has entered the retail produce fray with the opening of seven Supercenters in Ontario.
Company officials from Wal-Mart Canada Corp., which is part of the firm's international division, told The Produce News that the first three Supercenters were opened Nov. 8 in Stouffville, London and Ancaster. Another four have opened in Sarnia, Scarborough, Vaughn and Brampton since.