'More Matters' rolled out nationally
SAN FRANCISCO -- At press events on both coasts, the new tagline for the Produce for Better Health Foundation's marketing campaign was rolled out the week of March 19. Using kids and a chef cooking contest in the backdrop, the new "Fruits & Veggies - More Matters" campaign was launched March 19 at a Safeway store, here, and again March 21 at a Kroger Supermarket in Atlanta.
California citrus industry lauded for maintaining post-freeze quality
VISALIA, CA -- In the wake of a prolonged and widespread freeze in January that devastated an estimated 70 percent of the remaining California winter citrus crop still on the trees, the California citrus industry has done an admirable job of protecting its reputation for quality by keeping freeze- damaged fruit off the market, according to several speakers and panelists at California Citrus Mutual's California Citrus Showcase held here on Thursday, March 8.
CAC to take legal action against Mexican Hass imports
At a board meeting Thursday, March 15, the California Avocado Commission "voted unanimously to take aggressive action against the importation of Mexican avocados with dangerous scale pests coming into California," according to a March 16 commission memo to the industry.
Fred Williamson of Andrew Williamson has died
Fred L. Williamson, a well-known tomato industry leader and co-founder of Andrew Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego, died March 20, at the age of 70.
Company spokesperson Mark Munger said Mr. Williamson had been sicker than he let on and that pneumonia was the official cause of death.
Foreign nations look to U.S. with interest in fresh produce
BASILICATA, ITALY -- Produce professionals from around the world kept busy at the workshop and mission in Basilicata, Italy, in mid-January (see The Produce News, Feb. 5). If the nearly non-stop wave of Italian food and wine weren't enough to keep their minds on what the region has to offer, the extensive field, packing and distribution facility, and greenhouse tours were filling their days full of details on which to concentrate.
DRC loses two founding members of its board of directors
The Dispute Resolution Corp. recently lost two of the founding members of its 12-person board of directors with the departure of Alain Par? of Metro Richelieu Inc. and Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Committee.
Mr. Par? told The Produce News about his resignation on March 15 after finishing a conference call with other DRC board members and its president and chief executive officer, Stephen Whitney.
"I was part of the task force to build the DRC 10 years ago and I am sad to leave," Mr. Par? said.
House introduces farm bill wish list for specialty crop producers
WASHINGTON -- House lawmakers have introduced a bill the specialty crop industry hopes will become the blueprint for Congress to follow in helping producers in the 2007 farm bill.
The Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, or EAT Healthy America Act, includes a lengthy list of programs for the specialty crop industry that would increase market access and place a renewed focus on nutrition, research and conservation.
Duda switches to bin harvesting system for Texas and Vidalia
Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., with headquarters in Oviedo, FL, is moving to a bin harvesting system this year for its Texas and Vidalia onions to help increase efficiencies and improve quality.
Trip provides New York agriculture producers insight into Chilean practices
Twenty-seven New York agricultural leaders from all segments of the industry recently embarked on a seven-day international agricultural study trip to Chile. The trip was organized by Class XI of LEAD New York, a professional leadership development program administered through Cornell University.
Six L's/Custom Pak to distribute under 'Disney Garden brand
The mission of Imagination Farms to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among children continues to expand with the addition of Six L's/ Custom Pak in Immokalee, FL, as a Disney Garden premium supplier of tomatoes and watermelons.
Beginning in April, Six L's/Custom Pak will provide a year-round program of tomatoes to include grape tomatoes, cherry-on-the-vine tomatoes and round tomatoes. In addition to tomatoes, Custom Pak will also be shipping watermelons in the "Disney Garden" brand beginning in June.