George E. Boutonnet dies at 89
CASTROVILLE, CA -- Ocean Mist Farms has announced that George Boutonnet died June 6 at his Salinas, CA, home at the age of 89.
In 1939, Mr. Boutonnet started his farming legacy by growing potatoes and rhubarb in Marina, CA. Over the years, he built Boutonnet Farms by growing artichokes, cauliflower, lettuces, broccoli and other mixed vegetables. His son, Ed Boutonnet, joined the family business in 1966. In 1982 Boutonnet Farms became a major shareholder in what is now Ocean Mist Farms.
Fresh produce 'makes a statement' at Casels Supermarket
MARGATE, NJ -- Many supermarket executives say that fresh produce is the key part of the store. One prime example of that is found at Casel's Supermarket, which recently enlarged and remodeled its produce department to better showcase fresh fruits and vegetables -- and just in time to feature all the products from its home state of New Jersey.
Shoppers find the enhanced produce department, complete with a colorful floral area, immediately to their right as they enter the store. Larger and wider aisles make for easy shopping.
SALINAS SCENE: Colorful Harvest honored with Gold Medal Award
Colorful Harvest recently was invited to the Chefs of America Gold Medal Masters of Taste awards in Chicago. This was a one-day meeting and selected product tasting for the top corporate chefs in the country. The event and awards dinner were conducted prior to the National Restaurant Association Conference.
Oppenheimer organic tomatoes now available in fully compostable packaging
Greenhouse-grown organic tomatoes are next in The Oppenheimer Group's ever-expanding line of products available in completely home compostable packaging.
"Tomatoes are among the most popular organic items in the produce section," James Milne, executive director of the Vancouver, BC-based marketer's greenhouse category, said in a statement. "Now discerning consumers can purchase richly flavored organic tomatoes in convenient packs and place all of the packaging into their home compost knowing it will be ready to make a healthy contribution to the garden in 90 days."
Indian mangos may enter the United States next year
Alphonso mangos, a highlight of India's horticulture industry, may soon find an entry into the United States thanks to the efforts initiated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board.
The way for the entry of Indian mangos into the United States could be cleared in a couple of months, as a committee of U.S. scientists is expected to visit India to conduct the final rounds of tests on the fruit, according to a statement issued by Michael Owen, the U.S. consul general in India.
California releases new tomato standards
In an effort to curb the gunnysacking of tomatoes, the California Department of Food & Agriculture has issued new standards requiring each container of fresh-market tomatoes to include a grower name and lot number. In addition, stricter packing standards have been issued regarding the appearance of the tomato in a carton or box.
Goodness Greeness launches organic foodservice division
Goodness Greeness, a Chicago-based distributor of organic produce, recently established the area's first all-organic foodservice division. Items currently include a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, and organic and grass-fed dairy.
In the past, the company's produce had been available to restaurants through brokers. This new division is dedicated solely to the direct sales, service and distribution of organic produce to the foodservice industry.
Giumarra and Luv'ya refresh the apple category with new flavor-based program
Los Angeles-based Giumarra Cos. and New Zealand-based Luv'ya Apple Co. have combined efforts to focus on a flavor-based apple program.
"Eve is a delicious improvement versus standard Braeburn and even the other high-color Braeburn strains," Tom Richardson, manager of Giumarra's Wenatchee division, said in a statement. "It has that tangy Braeburn flavor, but being sweeter, it is more suitable to the North American taste preference."
Temperature control questioned in new tomato guidance document
For years, the California Tomato Commission and others have urged retailers, foodservice operators and end users to refrain from cooling tomatoes. "Don't Refrigerate Tomatoes," screamed the refrigerator magnet that the commission distributed.
While that advice has not been abandoned, the new Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain specifically draws attention to temperature control as an area of concern.
RETAIL NOTES: Safeway to convert all stores to Lifestyle format
All of Safeway's nearly 1,800 stores will be converted to the chain's Lifestyle format by the end of 2009, Safeway Chief Executive Officer Steve Burd promised at the annual shareholders meeting held May 25.