Familiarity with San Luis Valley an asset to new CPAC director
MONTE VISTA, CO -- A decade in the San Luis Valley agriculture industry and a close working relationship with many of the area's potato grower-shippers puts Jim Ehrlich in a unique position as the new executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee.
Mr. Ehrlich succeeds Chris Voigt, who vacated the post last September for a similar position with the Washington State Potato Commission.
Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee unveils new logo and campaign
Its two booths -- No. 10943 on the show floor of the United Produce Show and the other situated in the Idaho section of the U.S. Food Export Showcase in the International Pavilion -- will serve as simultaneous unveiling sites for the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee's new logo and marketing campaign.
Sherise Jones, marketing director for the committee, said in mid-April that the eye-grabbing new logo and accompanying tagline, "Sweet with Heat," were designed for broad spectrum appeal.
Industry groups release lettuce safety guidance document
WASHINGTON -- In a joint effort to help the fresh produce industry ensure the highest levels of food safety, the International Fresh-cut Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and Western Growers Association released a document called Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce & Leafy Greens Supply Chain.
Kern County potato acreage drops again
Overall potato acreage in Kern County, CA, has dropped about 9 percent from the previous year -- from 8,727 acres planted in 2005 to 8,654 acres planted in 2006 -- according to published data from the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
Consumers and retailers win with 'Celebrate Cinco And Win' sweepstakes
IRVINE, CA -- The California Avocado Commission unveiled an exciting new web-based consumer promotion, "Celebrate Cinco and Win." Designed to increase demand of fresh California avocados during the key Cinco de Mayo sales period, the innovative promotion is highlighted by a compelling Cinco de Mayo sweepstakes site showcased at the California Avocado Commission web site, avocado.org.
Hugo Tottino: an artichoke perennial
CASTROVILLE, CA -- Decades and decades ago, when packing artichokes was the domain of local women from the Castroville area, Hugo Tottino, a partner in the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corp., would start every day by going into the packing plant to personally greet each of his workers before heading into his office.
Freska adds new packs
Figures tracked by the Mexican Mango Exporters Association and published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that Freska Produce International in Ventura, CA, is the largest importer of Mexican mangos in the United States. The April 15 report shows that Freska had brought in 1.5 million boxes of mangos, representing 50 percent of all crossings at Nogales, AZ, and 18 percent of all Mexican mangos coming into the United States since the season began.
Understanding agribusiness enables AgriCap to better service industry
AgriCap Financial Corp. in Los Angeles was founded about six years ago by two finance veterans to provide financial services to agricultural enterprises -- a business sector that banks and other lending institutions often shy away from, according to Rick Jones, president of AgriCap.
"Many lenders consider agriculture too risky," he said. So why has AgriCap been successful in a field perceived as too risky by many competitors? "In a nutshell, we understand the industry well, so we are better at it," he said.
Chertoff vows crackdown on employers, leads off with raids on IFCO
The message is clear: Employers who "knowingly and recklessly employ illegal aliens" will be targeted by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement and will be punished.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary for ICE, announced Thursday, April 20 a "comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy for the nation's interior" that includes a crackdown on employers hiring illegal immigrants.
Market Fresh launches new onion program
Market Fresh Produce, based in Lee's Summit, MO, has launched a new onion program with state-of-the-art packaging. The program includes suppliers from Vidalia, GA, California, Texas, Walla Walla, WA, and offshore product from Mexico and Peru.
Market Fresh started shipping product April 9. The program offers euro display-ready packaging in both bulk and mesh bags.
Market Fresh offers both foodservice and retailers contract pricing and says it remains committed to consumer-driven programs that maximize sales and consumption of fresh produce.