Florida Tomato Committee efforts help to spread holiday tomato cheer
"We will have an exceptionally good crop of fresh, field-grown Florida tomatoes available this fall in November and December," said Samantha Winters, marketing director of the Florida Tomato Committee. "The timing couldn't be better for holiday menu-planning and gift-making."
WGA takes training initiative on the road
SALINAS, CA -- Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association has taken to the road to gauge support for its proposed Western Growers University, an initiative designed to tailor practical training for its members at a nominal cost to them and with little paperwork hassles.
New York Apple Association takes marathon campaign to new heights
The New York Apple Association stretches its promotional boundaries as a sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon every year, and the Nov. 5 event proved to be the biggest and best one yet.
Eastes to leave Sunkist Global; Tompkins to fill void
Rick Eastes, director of global sourcing for Sunkist Global LLC, has elected not to renew his agreement with the Sunkist subsidiary company beyond Nov. 30, and Mark Tompkins, produce industry veteran and former head of Sunkist's domestic sales network, is returning to replace him.
Mr. Eastes joined the newly created Sunkist Global as its first employee Feb. 1, 2004, with the charge of developing counter-seasonal and complementary citrus from sources outside the United States under the "Sunkist" brand.
Timco Worldwide recalls cantaloupe
WOODLAND, CA -- Timco Worldwide Inc. in Woodland, CA, announced Nov. 14 that it is voluntarily recalling its "Sundia" brand cantaloupe because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.
Georgia Supreme Court upholds Commissioner Irvin's decision
In a unanimous decision Oct. 30, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin was well within his rights to allow third-party flavor certification of Vidalia onions.
The suit, brought by Bland Farms and other Vidalia onion growers, sought to have the high court order the Georgia commissioner of agriculture to halt the use of "Certified Sweet" and "Certified Extra Sweet" trademarks in association with Vidalia onions.
RETAIL VIEW: Reaching consumers through new avenues
The successful marketer, whether retailer or produce supplier, better start planning to reach consumers in new ways because traditional marketing avenues are losing their effectiveness. Today's consumers are much different than consumers of years past, and hence they respond to different marketing techniques and they are congregating at different locations. While this general statement is true for all generations, it is especially true for younger consumers: in their teens, 20s or 30s.
Royal Ahold plans to sell U.S. Foodservice division
Holland-based Royal Ahold NV has announced plans to sel its Columbia, MD- based U.S. Foodservice division, which it has successfully turned around from a revenue-losing entity in 2003 to a salient company, indicating that the move is part of a restructuring effort aimed at boosting shareholder value.
The announcement came in conjunction with Ahold's latest Retail Review report.
High quality and good volume of Maine potatoes to support increasing demand
"Every indication is that the Maine crop will be good this year," said Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations for the Maine Potato Board, headquartered in Presque Isle, ME. "Growers here always hold their breath that tropical storms and hurricanes won't come up the East Coast and aim in our direction, but we were fortunate this year to get through the season unscathed. We've had good growing conditions across the board, and the majority of the crop was harvested by November 1."
Origin Organic Farms' new brand reflects originality
Emboldened by a successful first season of full-scale organic greenhouse production, Origin Organic Farms Inc. has not only unveiled a new brand, it has also acquired a new operation that will help solidify the label and product line with year-round supply.