Sun World joins Summeripe alliance
Summeripe Worldwide Inc. in Dinuba, CA, announced the addition of Sun World International LLC in Bakersfield, CA, to the Summeripe Alliance of quality tree fruit shippers.
Sun World joins an existing group of shippers of preconditioned peaches, plums and nectarines that includes Crown Jewels Marketing, Family Tree Farms Inc., Giannini Packing Co., Mountain View Fruit Sales Inc., Pandol Bros. Inc., Simonian Fruit Co., Visalia Produce and Wespak Sales Co.
Mann taps insider to lead company
Bill Ramsey and Don Nucci, co-owners of Mann Packing, have named company veteran Mike Jarrard as the firm's new president and chief executive officer. He replaces Joe Nucci, who died unexpectedly last July at the age of 40.
Mr. Jarrard was most recently vice president of business development for Mann, where he managed company affiliates Garden Valley LLC and Fresh Leaf Farms LLC.
Tristan Kieva joins Sun Pacific
Sun Pacific, the Los Angeles-based grower-shipper known for its recent success in launching the national Cutie clementine program, announced the hiring of Tristan Kieva as its new vice president of marketing.
Ms. Kieva has been in the produce industry for 16 years, the last seven of which were spent at Frieda's Inc. in Los Alamitos, CA, where she rose to the position of vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to Frieda's, she worked as marketing director for Paramount Farms in Los Angeles, and as the corporate marketing manager for Smart & Final in Vernon, CA.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: Giving our future a fresh start
What would you do if presented with an opportunity to significantly improve the health of America's children while increasing your sales at the same time? The United Research & Education Foundation has chosen to launch Project Fresh Start, a new three-year, $500,000-per-year program to help the next generation of children double their fresh produce consumption to meet today's dietary goals and stem the tide of childhood obesity.
For Roger Ortega, Northwest cherries are part of the perfect brew
In May 2003, fresh out of college and armed with a bachelor's degree in food science with a concentration in fermentation science, Roger Ortega had plans to use his new skills at a rather well-known St. Louis beermaking operation. "I had interviewed to work with Anheuser-Busch and wanted eventually to return to the Northwest to open a brewpub/ microbrewery," Mr. Ortega said recently.
Walla Walla sweet onions furthering presence and recognition at convention
Promoting its 22nd annual Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival, set for July 14-16 at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds in Walla Walla, WA, the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee will be giving away the coveted Sweety plush toy at this year's United Produce Show.
The committee will occupy booth 11314 at the May 6-9 United convention and expo, and Director of Marketing Kathryn Fry said that the committee will use the event to further the onion's overall presence in the industry.
Pink Lady America advancing on multiple fronts
As new avenues are opening for Pink Lady America in foodservice and slicing, where smaller-sized product can be used, Marketing Director Alan Taylor said that the company is also exploring markets for high-end juice drinks.
A push is on to brand product, which Mr. Taylor said is the wave of the future for the produce industry. Also, with consolidation in the global marketplace, Mr. Taylor said that Pink Lady America is looking to combine trademarks and varieties.
L&M and Broetje partner for apple and cherry sales
Keith Matthews, director of grower development for L&M Cos.' Selah, WA, office, said that a marketing agreement executed with Broetje Orchards will bring a substantial volume of apples and cherries to the market this year.
Broetje Orchards, which markets under the "FirstFruits" label, is one of the world's larger privately owned orchards with a total of 5,000 acres of conventional production in Prescott, WA. The operation also recently transitioned an additional 550 acres of orchards in Wallula, WA, to certified organic production.
Mosquito patch the latest technology offered by AgraCo
PHILADELPHIA -- Field workers can be among the beneficiaries of a new natural mosquito repellant patch now being marketed by AgraCo Technologies International LLC in Lafayette Hill, PA.
David Webster, AgraCo's chief executive officer, met with The Produce News April 18 to discuss this latest product to be marketed by his firm, whose products include ethylene filters and fly traps.
California Giant pumps up sales with Bowflex
California Giant Berry Farms is launching a national consumer sweepstakes event partnering with two exciting and unique companies during the peak strawberry season.
Together with Nautilus and Litehouse Dressing, Cal Giant has developed an enticing way to increase consumer purchases while communicating their mutual goal of health and fitness. These three companies are collaborating on a national sweepstakes offer called Sweet-Balance.