Crosset serves Midwest retailers with organic selection
Midwestern organic consumers say that they buy organic produce because they think it tastes fresher and because they want to avoid pesticides.
"I buy [organics] because I think they are healthier - there's no pesticides. It seems that the organic product usually tastes better, too," said Susan Clear, a consumer in Cincinnati.
PACA fees should increase to offset shortfalls, says committee
WASHINGTON -- Viewed as a valuable program by produce businesses, PACA bars unfair and fraudulent practices in fruit and vegetable trade and provides a means of enforcing contracts. Under PACA, buyers and sellers of commercial quantities of fruit and vegetables must be licensed by USDA, and those that violate these contracts may be required to pay damages.
EVS suits world traveler Emily Donohue
Emily Donohue grew up in Salinas, CA, so agriculture and produce have always been strong influences on her life. The 25-year-old marketing manager at European Vegetable Specialties Farms has worked for three years at the Salinas-based grower where her dad, Dennis Donohue, is president of the company. "My whole family is from Salinas," she said of her background. "My mom's side of the family is in farming; my dad's side is in the business end." Ms. Donohue started with EVS in sales. "Now I'm sales and marketing," she said.
Agriculture secretary addresses produce committee
WASHINGTON -- California's deep freeze that damaged citrus crops and the E. coli outbreak that cost the spinach industry $100 million show how quickly conditions can change in agriculture, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said at a Jan. 23 meeting with fruit and vegetable industry representatives.
California citrus losses said to be in excess of $800 million
Less than a week following the week-long freeze that devastated the California citrus crop, California Citrus Mutual released an initial assessment of the extent of the damage.
According to the Jan. 23 release, a total of around 86.6 million cartons of citrus in eight counties were believed lost to the freeze. The gross loss is estimated to exceed $800 million.
Groups endorse mandatory safety standards for produce
WASHINGTON -- Facing a crisis in consumer confidence, the United Fresh Produce Association's board of directors voted to endorse federal mandatory food-safety standards that would cover U.S. and imported fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm through the distribution chain to the consumer.
National Mango Board on track for successful year
The National Mango Board has announced new officers and a new marketing director to spearhead a bevy of dynamic marketing and promotion activities planned for 2007.
At its December board meeting in San Francisco, the board approved a new budget and appointed new officers: Ismael Diaz of Rio Rico, AZ, as chairman; Isabel Freeland of San Diego, CA, as vice chairman; Sue Duleba of Hidalgo, TX, as treasurer; and Ingrid Rivas of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, as secretary. The board is entering its second full year of operation.
IN THE TRENCHES: Upselling could improve your produce sales this year
It's hard to believe that the month of January is quickly coming to a close. This is about the time most people who chose to go on a diet are now backing off it.
Also, those who purchased or received one of those awkward exercise gadgets have tucked it away with the others, either in the garage, attic or basement.
You've heard that old saying, "After the first of the year, I'm going on a diet to lose weight." Or something like, "We'll get to it after the first of the year." Everything always seems to be planned for "after the first of the year."
Leafy greens marketing agreement ready for sign-ups
SALINAS, CA -- The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Jan. 24 that the proposed Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which would establish an inspection program for handlers of leafy greens, has been released for sign-ups.
The proposed agreement, which was created by the leafy greens industry and is being facilitated by CDFA, would utilize the inspection program to verify that leafy greens handlers are complying with their own standards. Handlers are middlemen through whom product moves from field to retail.
Detroit retailer caters to Middle Eastern tastes
DETROIT - Working what he declared "the hardest job of my life," Khalil Saad, owner of Papaya Fruits & Grocery in a Middle Eastern neighborhood, here, gets little sleep. He shops the Detroit Produce Terminal daily for about three hours beginning at 2:45 a.m. for the fruits and vegetables he will sell from his store's shelves each day. But his customers appreciate his efforts and he moves great volumes of produce through his modestly sized store.