Avian flu issues lead to queries by retailers
The Avian flu has been in the headlines for months with talks of a pandemic and questions about the preparedness of the United States for an outbreak. In fact, federal and state health officials throughout the country have issued warnings advising that companies and local officials develop and have ready a preparedness plan.
This in turn has led to many companies around the country asking their suppliers if they have a plan in place. Numerous produce shippers have received letters from retailers asking for a copy of their plan.
$116.7 million approved for farmland preservation projects across New Jersey
The Garden State Preservation Trust approved the State Agriculture Development Committee's funding request for $116.7 million to build on the momentum of farmland preservation efforts across New Jersey.
Industry veteran buys open-air market
ALAMEDA, CA -- Life in fresh produce has come full circle for Dan (The Produce Man) Avakian, who has just purchased the open-air market where he got his start in the industry in 1976 at age 15.
Mr. Avakian, who for years co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio show "The Produce Pair," officially opened his store -- Dan's Fresh Produce -- May 22. The open-air market has had several owners since Mr. Avakian got his start here at age 15, with Mr. Avakian now taking the helm.
Hot lettuce market obscures 'Dateline' impact
A hot lettuce market caused by decreased supplies blurred any impact that might have occurred following the late April report on NBC's television program "Dateline" linking several cases of E. coli-related sickness with bagged lettuce.
Peak of the Market's McIntosh elected CPMA chairman
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has elected its new incoming chairman. Larry McIntosh, president and chief executive officer of Peak of the Market, will be inducted as only the fourth Manitoban ever to serve as chairman in CPMA's 82-year history. He will become chairman at the CPMA convention in Montreal May 8, 2007, and will remain in office until the convention in Calgary in May 2008.
Relaxed quarantine rules could boost lettuce sales to Japan
Japan informed the U.S. Department of Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service in Tokyo May 16 that it was removing a number of pests from quarantine and inspection status, which should give U.S. lettuce shippers a sales boost.
"I think there could be an immediate impact," said Ken Gilliland of Western Growers Association. He explained that among the pests removed from the quarantine list is the Western Flower Thrip. "There are three pests that we are most concerned about, and apparently we are getting rid of one of them," he said.
Dennis Donohue elected treasurer of Grower-Shipper Association
Dennis Donohue, president of European Vegetable Specialties in Salinas, CA, has been elected treasurer of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
In agribusiness since 1988, Mr. Donohue worked for River Ranch, Fresh Express and Fresh Western before joining European Vegetable Specialties in 1996. He became president of the company two years later. EVS, a privately held company, is among the larger producers of radicchio in the world, with growing operations and customers in North America, South American, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Del Monte Fresh strengthens management team with four key appointments
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. in Coral Gables, FL, has made four key appointments to its Asian, European and North American regions.
Jimmy Tenazas, formerly vice president of Del Monte Fresh's North American deciduous program in Coral Gables, will take on the role of vice president of the Asia-Pacific region in Hong Kong, China, and will report directly to Hani El-Naffy, president and chief operating officer of Del Monte Fresh Produce Co.
Door set to open for Thai fresh fruit shipments to the U.S.
BANGKOK, THAILAND -- An agreement between the governments of Thailand and the United States is in place that will allow six fresh-market Thai fruits to be exported to the United States after undergoing treatment with irradiation. And while this means that U.S. marketers would have another source to satisfy the growing consumer demand for Asian and tropical products, there remains some uncertainly about the feasibility of bringing the items to the United States due to the high costs of production and transportation.
CTFA ups assessments to maintain domestic promotion programs
REEDLEY, CA -- It came as a surprise to the staff of the Reedley, CA-based California Tree Fruit Agreement, which had recommended a budget for the 2006 marketing season based on a steady-as-she-goes 20-cents-per-carton assessment on California peaches, nectarines and plums. But since the lighter crop volume would have necessitated a cutback in certain promotional programs if the assessment level were unchanged, the peach and nectarine committees both voted to increase their assessment by one penny, to 21 cents a carton, in order to be able to fully fund the planned programs.