Workshop explores speaking the language of consumers
CHICAGO -- According to Kevin Coupe, consumers are guilty of saying one thing and meaning another, and even worse, often have no idea what they are talking about.
In a business session at the United Produce Expo & Conference, here, titled "Speaking the Language of the Consumer," Mr. Coupe, a retail industry expert and owner of the web site MorningNewsBeat.com, gave advice on how best to counter this and deliver what consumers really want.
PMA seeks clarification on target audience for fresh-cut guidelines
WASHINGTON -- The draft guidelines designed to boost food safety in the fresh-cut produce industry should apply only to processors, not to retailers and other segments of the produce handling chain, according to the Produce Marketing Association.
But the International Fresh-cut Produce Association said that the ever-increasing number of retailers involved in processing fresh produce means that some of the recommendations would apply to them.
New tomato variety places emphasis on flavor
CHICAGO -- A new tomato has hit the scene, and while its appearance may raise some eyebrows, the variety's marketers believe its flavor will win over the tastebuds of consumers.
Dulcinea Farms LLC in Ladera Ranch, CA, and the Oppenheimer Group in Vancouver, BC, have teamed to introduce the Rosso Bruno, a premium vine-fresh tomato with a distinctive brown color. The new variety was on display at the United Produce Show, held here May 5-9.
Salinas agribusinesses to take part in business leadership workshop
MONTEREY, CA -- Jim Bracher is all about applying positive character traits -- such as integrity and honesty -- to business leadership. He said that it is a message that the Salinas Valley agricultural leadership wants to hear, based on the response he has received to his upcoming workshop.
Mr. Bracher said that the agricultural community is a good fit for his workshop.
Cal Pine's Kent Pidduck dies at 58
Kent A. Pidduck of Cal Pine Distributors LP in Westlake Village, CA, died April 23. He was 58.
The cause of death was still under investigation as of May 10, press time for The Produce News' May 15 issue.
Pero Vegetable Co. unveils individually wrapped squash
CHICAGO -- Pero Vegetable Co. Inc. in Delray Beach, FL, unveiled individually wrapped green and yellow squash at the United Produce Show, held here May 5-9.
Frank Pero, vice president of Pero Vegetable Co. Inc., said that the new line addresses two major areas of concern for retailers: shrink and food safety.
Three new melon varieties join 'Santa Sweets' line
PHILADELPHIA -- Procacci Bros./Garden State Farms, here, is introducing a new series of proprietary melons that will be collectively marketed within the "Santa Sweets" brand melon program.
Company President Mike Maxwell told The Produce News shortly before the United Produce Show in Chicago, where the new additions to the melon program were unveiled, that the volume of the melons is increasing and should be in strong supply by June. "We're getting pumped up," Mr. Maxwell said.
United upbeat about its third year in Chicago
CHICAGO -- The produce industry breezed its way back to The Windy City for the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Produce Expo & Conference, held May 6-9 here at McCormick Place.
Now in its third year in Chicago, the convention, which is co-located with four other trade shows and together are dubbed The Power of Five, has "been on a growing cycle," according to Amy Philpott, United's vice president of marketing and industry relations.
International Herbs' new director of business development sets high goals for career
Ryan Cherry looks back to some important advice that he received from his father 11 years ago, advice that would serve him well as he searched for a career path. Mr. Cherry had just earned his degree in marketing management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and was mulling over his options as to what industries he could go into. At the time, Mr. Cherry was working in the produce department at Save On Foods and his father, who had worked in the food industry for many years, saw his son's dilemma and said something to him that would change his life.
Florida tomatoes make healthy statement in the Big Apple
NEW YORK - -The Florida Tomato Committee, headquartered in Maitland, FL, made a healthy statement on the morning of May 2 when it hosted the morning "Skipping breakfast is bad" event here at the Cornell Club. Samantha Winters, director of education and promotion, and Reggie Brown, manager, represented the committee, and they brought Steven Schwartz of Ohio State University.