Record freezes devastate Guatemalan vegetables
GUATEMALA CITY -- Those sleeping in Guatemala City on Thanksgiving night needed a couple of extra blankets. Even at a mile-plus above sea level, the need for heating homes is so rare that most homes do not have heating systems.
Solutions for staying warm escaped most of Guatemala's vegetable-producing highlands during a cold front that ran on three record-breaking cold nights Nov. 22-24. The Guatemala City newspaper Prensa Libre reported Nov. 26 that the country experienced $6 million in vegetable crop losses on the night of Nov. 22 alone as a result of the freeze.
Save Mart buys Albertson's northern California 132-store division
Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets announced Monday, Nov. 27, that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Albertson's LLC Northern California division.
The transaction includes 132 Albertson's stores spread over northern California and northern Nevada, the Roseville, CA, and Vacaville, CA, distribution centers, as well as the Albertson's division office in Dublin, CA. Of the 132 stores, two of the California stores are closed and 10 of the stores are in the Nevada cities of Reno, Sparks and Carson City.
FFVA names Lisa Lochridge director of public affairs
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in Maitland, FL, has named Lisa Lochridge its director of public affairs, effective Nov. 27. Ms. Lochridge brings a strong background in public relations and journalism to FFVA.
"We're extremely pleased to have Lisa with us," FFVA President Mike Stuart said in a press release. "She brings a wealth of experience with her, and she is no stranger to the Florida agriculture industry."
Sun World appoints Peviani and Tali as grape marketer-licensees
Peviani SpA in Milan, Italy, and Tali Grapes in Lachish, Israel, have been appointed to market new seedless grapes developed by Bakersfield, CA- based Sun World International LLC. The nomination of the Italian and Israeli companies enables The group of firms to export and market fruit from the new varieties produced by licensed Sun World producers throughout the respective countries, Sun World Senior Vice President David Marguleas said in a statement.
Curwood earns Ocean Spray award
Oshkosh, WI-based flexible packaging company Curwood Inc. has been named Supplier of the Year 2006 for Primary Packaging by Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a leading supplier of cranberry- and grapefruit-based drinks, sauces and sweetened dried products.
Ocean Spray Chief Executive Officer Randy Papadellis praised Curwood for its "penchant to commit resources to drive Ocean Spray's business to new levels using innovative packaging technologies."
FPAA's promotional activities aimed at raising awareness of Mexican-grown produce
NOGALES, AZ -- "We are continuing to try to change" the common perceptions in the United States regarding Mexican-grown produce "and highlight the fact that whether they know it or not, for a lot of the winter, they are eating Mexican produce," said Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce Sales Inc., who is a member of the public relations committee of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here. "A lot of [consumers] never in their dreams would think that 60 percent of the fruits and vegetables they are eating in the wintertime are from Mexico."
Sam Lipot retires after 52 years in the industry
Sam Lipot retired Oct. 21 after spending more than half a century in the produce industry.
Mr. Lipot, 64, got his start 52 years ago in the industry working beside his grandfather Sam Pettello at the family's fruit markets in the Pennsylvania towns of Elysburg and Marion Heights.
He worked for Laneco/Food Lane in Allentown, PA, for 35 years, during which time he saw that chain grow to 30 stores from four stores.
NEW launched for Philadelphia food industry women
PHILADELPHIA -- Produce industry women in the Philadelphia area are being encouraged to join a "NEW" organization, that is, the Network of Executive Women, which involves women from the food and retail business sectors.
The Greater Philadelphia Area Network of Executive Women held its first meeting Nov. 15 in Philadelphia. Total participation was about 250, including a dozen or so men. A handful of women with ties to the produce industry was present, with one being a key figure in the meeting.
United Fresh launches top executive training program
WASHINGTON -- There may be plenty of training programs for promising young leaders in the produce industry, but the United Fresh Produce Association saw a need for mid-level and senior executives to stay ahead of the fast-moving industry.
United Fresh said that it had been working on developing a one-of-a-kind training program for a year and decided to partner with Cornell University's Food Industry Management program to help grower and shipper executives move to the next step.
Three young Nogales brokers embody future of the region's produce industry
NOGALES, AZ -- They are young. Their average age is 25, which may just be the youngest average age for the key people in any brokerage in Nogales. Yet Alvaro Obregon, his brother Enrique Obregon and their friend Tony Mu?oz bring years of experience in various fields to bear in running IPR Solutions LLC, here.