Vidalia Onion Committee announces award winners
The Vidalia Onion Committee in Vidalia, GA, announced the 2006 winners for Hall of Fame and Grower of the Year at its annual Growers' Celebration Feb. 3.
The 2006 Grower of the Year award was presented posthumously to Wayne Douberly of Vidalia. Mr. Douberly died in October; his wife, Frances, accepted the award on his behalf.
Florida freeze causes huge losses of south Florida corn and green beans
Temperatures that dropped to about 27 degrees Feb. 17 in Belle Glade, FL, and then to 30-31 degrees Feb. 19 caused losses to sweet corn and green beans that are expected to reach into the millions of dollars.
Holcomb named VP at Chiquita
Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati has appointed Michael J. Holcomb, 47, vice president of corporate sales and customer development. He will be responsible for the company's global sales organization and will report to Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. He will also serve on the company's management committee.
Maryland firms bought by business development company
Two sister produce companies, Coastal Sunbelt Produce Co. and East Coast Fresh Cuts Inc., which share a large facility in Savage, MD, have been acquired by MCG Capital Corp., a publicly traded business-development company based in Arlington, VA.
MCG's management team is also a buyer in this deal, which was completed Jan. 8. MCG Capital indicated that it has $1.3 billion in total assets.
CTFA names VP of marketing
The California Tree Fruit Agreement, based in Reedley, CA, announced that Colleen Duhart has been named vice president of marketing, effective Feb. 12.
"Colleen has a diverse background in integrated marketing and brings new experience to the CTFA team," CTFA President Sheri Mierau said in a statement. "We look forward to the continued success of current CTFA marketing programs as well as additional insights and innovations under Colleen's leadership."
John Catlin dies at 89
John R. Catlin, who spent some 20 years with the Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association as the organization's PACA representative, died Jan. 27 in Olympia, WA. He was 90.
Born July 9, 1917, in Platte, SD, Mr. Catlin graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. He spent four years in the U.S. Army during World War II, taking part in the Normandy invasion and landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Leafy Greens Advisory Board named
The California Leafy Greens Advisory Board has been appointed, and the first meeting is set for Feb. 23 in Woodland, CA. Soon after, the board is expected to approve new mandatory food safety standards that will govern all handlers who sign the agreement.
Though the California Department of Food & Agriculture has said that 90 percent of the leafy greens production in the state is represented, one major handler -- Fresh Express -- has declined to participate
RETAIL VIEW: Data key to retail marketing
It wasn't too long ago that "seat of the pants" might have been the best phrase to describe the retail produce marketing techniques employed by most suppliers. Retailers at least had their own data on which to rely, so their efforts could have been described as "advanced seat of the pants."
Welcome Sauer to lead global horticulture business at AgroFresh
Welcome Sauer has been named to lead AgroFresh Inc.'s growing worldwide horticultural business, the company announced Feb. 12.
Methods to detect freeze damage in citrus show promise
ORANGE COVE, CA -- A damaging freeze occurs in the citrus-growing areas of California about once every seven to 10 years, but when it does happen one of the bigger challenges facing the industry is trying to determine which fruit has been damaged by the freeze and cannot be packed, and which is good for sale.
Sometimes the damage is evident, but often a damaged orange or tangerine looks fine even to a trained observer -- until the fruit is cut open.