Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival in full-tilt planning mode
Long before the fields around Walla Walla, WA, showed even a hint of green in 2007, planning for the 23rd annual Sweet Onion Festival had reached a fever pitch in the administrative office of Kathy Fry, director of marketing for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee.
Ms. Fry, who has overseen the festival since 2003, said that plans for this year's two-day event, slated for July 21-22 at the county fairgrounds, have been ongoing since January, when she began contacting sponsors, vendors, entertainment and volunteers.
Desert lettuce deal has been a tough one
Poor yields and small head sizes have hampered a desert lettuce deal that should continue into the week of March 26.
Mike Marcroft, commodity manager for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms' lettuce program, said that a cold snap in January delayed the company's harvest dates, adding that there have been small heads industrywide. "Fortunately, we've had a good amount of ours pack out 24s," Mr. Marcroft said of the firm's lettuce heads.
Seald Sweet West takes on Mexican organic citrus deal from Citrus Industries
Citrus Industries in Three Rivers, CA, has designated Seald Sweet West International Inc. in Visalia, CA, as the exclusive sales agent for its fresh- packed fruit, primarily citrus, from Mexico.
According to David Muse, vice president of operations and marketing at Seald Sweet West, the program will consist primarily of Valencia oranges, both organic and conventional.
Mushroom Council unveils its new retail ad campaign
As part of the Mushroom Council's renewed effort to increase demand for fresh mushrooms, it recently adopted a new logo and tagline -- "Mushrooms. Nature's Hidden Treasure." -- which will be used in consumer and foodservice communications.
The logo and tagline are available for use on packages of fresh mushrooms at retail, providing a unifying theme for U.S. mushroom growers or shippers whose mushrooms are sold under a variety of brand labels. The logo was introduced last month at the biennial North American Mushroom Conference in San Diego.
WASHINGTON ROUNDUP: Industry eyes immigration reform
WASHINGTON -- The immigration debate may take center stage again in the coming weeks, as Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) are expected to soon introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Advocates for reform are calling on the Bush administration to convince allies to support a comprehensive bill this year.
Grant J. Hunt receives Food Alliance certification
For the second time this decade, Grant J. Hunt has received the Food Alliance Certification Seal in recognition of agricultural standards practiced by Orchard View Farms Inc. in The Dalles, OR.
According to Eric Patrick of Grant J. Hunt's Yakima, WA, office, Orchard View Farms was initially certified in June 2000 for cherries and pears and, with the recent certification awarded in late 2006, is certified through December 2009 for both products.
Grant J. Hunt Co. is the exclusive sales and marketing agent for Orchard View Farms.
Floral industry artist Dona Abbott dies
Dona Abbott, a director of Highland Supply Corp. in Highland, IL, and an internationally recognized artist, died March 2 in Boulder, CO, after a five- year battle with cancer. She was 66. Ms. Abbott, vice president of advertising, worked for Highland Supply Corp. for 37 years handling creative design and advertising. She retired from Highland in 2000.
Blazer Wilkinson licenses 'Foxy' brand for fresh strawberry sales
SALINAS, CA -- Blazer Wilkinson, one of the nation's larger shippers of fresh strawberries, will grow, market and ship California strawberries under the "Foxy" brand beginning in mid-March.
Under terms of the licensing agreement with The Nunes Co., owners of the "Foxy" brand, Blazer Wilkinson will handle all sales of "Foxy" strawberries to retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States.
FDA touts new fresh-cut guidelines
WASHINGTON -- Federal food-safety officials publicized the release of the final guidelines for handling of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables on the same day U.S. Food & Drug Administration officials testified before Congress on produce safety.
FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach said that Americans should be eating fresh-cut produce as part of a healthy diet, but these products are one area where foodborne illnesses occur.
Chiquita and DOJ reach plea agreement
Chiquita Brands International Inc. issued a statement March 14 from Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer, in response to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the previously disclosed investigation of protection payments made by the company's former banana-producing subsidiary in Colombia: "The information filed today is part of a plea agreement, which we view as a reasoned solution to the dilemma the company faced several years ago.