Seald Sweet enjoying sales of high-quality clementines
PHILADELPHIA -- Early maturity and Brix for Spanish clementines are better than normal, according to Bill Weyland, director of imports for Seald Sweet International LLC in Vero Beach, FL. The pre-Thanksgiving clementine varieties were developing internally at a faster rate than in 2005. With another shipload of clementines arriving in early December at Philadelphia's Tioga Marine Fruit Terminal, the citrus continued to look very good.
Mexican imports extremely important to Texas deal
Most major players in the southern Texas produce industry are almost by definition importers of Mexican product.
"I do not know of a major [Rio Grande Valley] Texas shipper that isn't working both sides of the border," said John McClung, president of the Texas Produce Association.
California fruit growers bid farewell to Blair Richardson, welcome new president at CTFA dinner
VISALIA, CA -- Some 400 peach, plum and nectarine growers and shippers who gathered here for the California Tree Fruit Agreement's annual dinner bid farewell to Blair Richardson, who is stepping down after five years at the organization's helm, and welcomed the new president, Sheri Mierau, who has been serving as vice president of marketing.
FDA says outbreak over
WASHINGTON -- The E. coli outbreak that has sickened 71 people on the East Coast is over and it appears that the suspected lettuce is no longer being served, according to the Food & Drug Administration.
This is good news for Taco Bell, which has been running ads to lure customers back to the embattled fast-food chain. "We are pleased this outbreak is over, and we look forward to serving our customers at all our restaurants," said Greg Creed, president of Taco Bell Corp.
IN THE TRENCHES: What lies ahead for your produce operation in 2007?
Before the current National Football League season got underway, who would have predicted that the 2005 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers would have compiled such a losing record thus far this year? Hard to believe, isn't it? It's amazing how professional sports teams can be so highly victorious one year and fall flat on their backs the next. It's a whole lot easier becoming number one than it is to remain number one.
Steady flow of Chilean Hass avocados signifies healthy retail opportunities
This year's Chilean Hass avocado season is in full swing with a crop expected to provide the retail community with a consistent supply of fruit supported by an aggressive communications campaign.
PMA issues statement on E. coli issue
The following statement was released Wednesday evening, Dec. 13 by Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann.
Tonight officials of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention stated that although they believe the most likely food vehicle in the Taco Bell E. coli outbreak is shredded lettuce, they also stated that the investigation remains ongoing. The produce industry continues to work closely with state and federal authorities to identify the cause of the outbreak.
Lettuce tapped as likely source of Taco Bell outbreak
WASHINGTON -- After discounting green onions, health officials now believe the most likely source of the Taco Bell outbreak is lettuce, which could deal another crippling blow to an industry struggling to regain buyer and consumer confidence.
MBG Marketing board names new CEO
Grand Junction, MI-based MBG Marketing's board of directors hired Frank G. Bragg III for its chief executive officer position to take effect Jan. 2. Mr. Bragg has been working closely with E. Kirk McCreary, the current CEO, to ensure a smooth and productive transition for the blueberry promoting organization.
The selection of Mr. Bragg culminated a search process initiated by the board in February. A special selection committee, assisted by one of the top executive placement firms in the produce industry, conducted a national search to identify the right candidate.
BC Hot House and Greenhouse Produce join forces to start new sales and marketing venture
VANCOUVER, BC -- BC Hot House Foods Inc., here, and Greenhouse Produce Co. LLC. in Vero Beach, FL, jointly announced Dec. 13 the formation of their new sales and marketing company.
The grower-owned company will market all greenhouse produce grown by the producers of both companies. The company will be led by President Brian Beggs; sales and marketing will be directed by Vice President of Sales and Marketing Fried De Schouwer.