Organic mangos now coming out of California
Mangos are said to be the most consumed fruit in the world with the United States lagging behind because it does not have domestic production or widespread interest.
Z&S Fresh rolls out product line under 'Old El Paso Fresh' brand
FRESNO, CA Z&S Fresh, a broad-line fruit and vegetable grower, shipper, distributor and broker, here, has reached an agreement with General Mills under which Z&S is authorized to ship an expanding assortment of produce items under the "Old El Paso Fresh" brand.
The product line will tie in with General Mills' Old El Paso brand used for an assortment of Hispanic items in the grocery department.
Court finds in favor of Sun World in Sugraone case
In a landmark decision following protracted litigation over the Sugraone, a seedless grape variety owned by Sun World International LLC, a federal court judge has found Sun Pacific Farming Cooperative Inc. and related parties liable for fraud and conversion for Sun Pacific's unlawful taking of Sun Worlds property. The court ordered Sun Pacific to stop growing and destroy the Sugraone variety grapevines in question and pay damages of nearly $300,000 to Sun World.
Mushroom Council unveils new marketing plans
The MushRoom, a portable eatery, will highlight the Dublin, CA-based Mushroom Council's September promotion of National Mushroom Month. This is the first major promotion in the Mushroom Councils return to such efforts since 2000, when a grower sued the council for using funds he contributed for a promotion and won, ceasing the councils authority to run promotions. Subsequent complex legal events reversed that decision in 2005. The suing grower went out of business in the interim.
Cindy Seel returns to PMA to head new education foundation
As the head of the Produce Marketing Association's newly formed education foundation, Cindy Seel will be looking at ways to lure new talent into the produce industry.
The new foundation will have two goals. One is to make the produce industry more of an employment choice for young people, said Ms. Seel, who officially started her new job Aug. 14. The other is to service people already working in the industry. Ms. Seel said that PMA has "broken ground" on the first goal, but has yet to tackle workforce development issues.
Peter Rabbit sells certain carrot assets to Bolthouse
Peter Rabbit Farms, based in California's Coachella Valley, has announced the sale of certain assets related to its carrot business to WM. Bolthouse Farms Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, a carrot grower and processor.
Founded in 1950, Peter Rabbit Farms is a third-generation, family- owned, grower-packer-shipper-marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables.
RETAIL VIEW: Firm facilitates retail promotions for shippers
For the fourth year in a row, Consumer Effects Inc. in Sacramento, CA, is partnering with a major retailer, a children's network and multiple shippers to hold a nationwide healthy-eating campaign promoting fresh produce to kids. The Good-to-Grow campaign kicked off in August and will last the entire month featuring point-of-sale material, demonstrations, in- store radio and many other events as it encourages children to eat more fruits and vegetables. More than 1,100 SuperValu stores, including Albertson's, Acme, Jewel-Osco and Shaw's, are participating in the promotion.
USDA proposal could mean $500 million in new business to produce
WASHINGTON -- The eagerly awaited government proposal that for the first time ever allows low-income mothers and children to buy fresh fruit and vegetables with WIC vouchers is seen not only as a public health revolution but also a boon to the produce industry.
Green Giant Fresh adds citrus to its lineup
Adding to its product categories and network of shipper collaborators, citrus from both California and Florida will be sold under the "Green Giant Fresh" brand beginning this fall.
Sunny Cove Citrus in Orange Cove, CA, will be packing California Navels, Valencias, Mineolas and Mandarins under the label, while Vero Beach, FL-based DLF International will be marketing grapefruit, tangerines, oranges and other locally grown products. In addition, both partners will eventually expand the brand to product sourced internationally.
Idaho-eastern Oregon onions expected to be on par with 2005 numbers
PARMA, ID -- All indicators in late July pointed to numbers similar to those of 2005-06 for the crop harvested out of Idaho-eastern Oregon's Treasure Valley, one of the United States' larger onion- growing regions.
Industry experts agree, however, that totals will not be known until the entire crop is out of the ground. Due to late planting in some areas, harvest could run into mid- or late October.