Mission adds asparagus with purchase of Lee Pacific
Oxnard, CA-based Mission Produce Inc. recently announced its entry into the fresh asparagus industry with its agreement to purchase the assets of Salinas, CA-based Lee Pacific LLC.
The purchase includes a California and Mexican program that will strengthen Mission's strategic relationship with a Peruvian company with which Mission works in avocados to enable a year-round fresh asparagus program, said Steve Barnard, president and chief executive officer of Mission Produce.
Sun World expands presence with European office
Dozens of new seedless grapes as well as fresh plums, apricots and peaches -- bred by California fruit researchers -- will soon be more readily available to growers and marketers throughout Europe.
In an effort to expand its new fruit variety development and licensing programs, Sun World International LLC has established Sun World Europe, according to Sun World Senior Vice President David Marguleas.
The office will be based in Cesena, Italy, within the important fruit-growing region of Emilia-Romagna.
T&A rolls out its own food-safety measures
SALINAS, CA -- Tanimura & Antle, based here, has unveiled upgraded food- safety measures for its growers to follow, which became effective Dec. 21.
These measures include increased minimum-distance requirements from potential risks, tightened standard operating procedures for crops near flood risks, managing use of certified compost, increased water quality testing and stricter pre-planting ranch assessments.
RETAIL VIEW: Prospect of increased sales is in the bag
If truly there is such a thing as a win-win proposition, it might be the new environmentally friendly grocery bags being promoted by several companies including Earthwise Bag Co. Inc. in Commerce, CA.
Cold headed for the Central Valley
A very strong and cold trough of low pressure will drop southward into California's Central Valley late this week and this coming weekend.
The citrus industry in the Central Valley is particularly concerned. Lows Thursday, Jan. 11, will remain close to 30 with clouds and rain and possibly snow showers. The cool and wet conditions will continue into Friday, Jan. 12, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid- to upper 20s Friday night.
Advocates ready to push guest worker reform in new Congress
WASHINGTON -- The stalled immigration reform effort may get a jump-start early in the new Congress as Senate backers of comprehensive reform are drafting a new bill, sources said.
This news cannot be more welcomed by fruit and vegetable growers facing a worsening labor shortage.
Produce Alliance adds Florida foodservice distributors
The Produce Alliance announced the addition of two Florida-based foodservice produce distributors.
Downtown Produce in Melbourne, FL, and Produce Distribution Center in Jacksonville, FL, have recently joined Produce Alliance in order to position themselves to service a very large region of the state that will allow the alliance to service the entire east coast of Florida.
Koster leaves Mann Packing
SALINAS, CA -- Tom Koster, who in January 2006 stepped into the newly created position of vice president of sales and shipping for Salinas, CA-based Mann Packing Co., has left the company to run Koster Communications, a firm he founded with his wife, Lorri Koster, who is currently co-chairman of Mann Packing Co.
No replacement for Mr. Koster has been named and a search has yet to be launched.
Retailers 'Warm Up to Michigan Apples'
From Jan. 1 until Feb. 28, national retailers will be participating in an apple promotion sponsored by the DeWitt, MI-based Michigan Apple Committee. In this "Warm Up to Michigan Apples" campaign, retailers must run three ads in that January-February 2007 time frame promoting bags of Michigan Red Delicious, Rome or Jonathan apples to enter.
Haun Potato continues tradition of giving
Haun Potato Co. in Kansas City, KS, has continued its tradition of giving with a recent donation of potatoes to the Kansas City Salvation Army.
The donation -- 44,000 pounds of fresh-packed potatoes from the Red River Valley -- took place Dec. 8 and was part of the Salvation Army's "Christmas Food Basket" to help feed the area's homeless and needy families during the holiday season.