Dominic DiMare, founder of the DiMare Co., was 94
Dominic Francis DiMare, founder of the DiMare Co., died March 19 of respiratory failure in Miami, FL. He was 94.
Born Jan. 4, 1912, Mr. DiMare started selling produce from a pushcart when he was 13 years old. He and his brothers, Anthony DiMare and Joseph DiMare, built a produce company that is now among the leading fresh tomato companies, with farming operations in California, Florida and South Carolina, and repacking and sales operations in seven states.
PMA delegation returns from China with fresh insights into global market
The Produce Marketing Association's International Council met in Shanghai, China, from Feb. 26 through March 1 with Rabobank North East Asia representative Patrick Vizzone to explore the opportunities and challenges in the global produce supply chain and, more specifically, on China's current and future role as a significant exporter and importer of fruits and vegetables.
The findings from the collaboration are being incorporated into a white paper PMA will make available May 15.
Gebet named Canadian sales manager of The Produce News
ORADELL, NJ -- The Produce News has announced the promotion of Joel Gebet to Canadian sales manager, effective March 13. In this new position, Mr. Gebet will take charge of all advertising sales in Canada, as well as be in a lead position for planning and implementing editorial coverage of Canadian clientele and issues.
Ted Koppel to keynote general session at United Produce Show
The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced that television news legend Ted Koppel will address attendees of the 2006 United Produce Show at FMI, May 6-9 in Chicago.
On Sunday, May 7, Mr. Koppel will present a talk entitled "Insight Spanning the Decades," providing an in-depth look into relevant news stories from across the world, including politics, international affairs, economics and the evolution of television. The 41-time Emmy winner also will relate candid stories about events that have influenced history and continue to affect our future.
Strawberry industry shows interest in environmentally friendly corn-based clamshells
The strawberry industry was among the very early segments of the produce industry to embrace the use of clear plastic clamshells for retail consumer packs.
The preponderance of fresh strawberries now goes to market in clamshells.
They are popular for many reasons: they display the product well, they protect it, they extend shelf life and reduce shrink, and they reduce labor costs at store level.
But there are downsides, one being the amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste generated by their use.
Earthbound Farm to manufacture and market Pride of San Juan products
San Juan Bautista, CA-based Earthbound Farm has agreed to acquire San Juan Bautista neighbor Pride of San Juan's manufacturing operations in an effort to expand its reach in the foodservice market with specialty salads, herbs and edible flowers.
Pride of San Juan will retain its farming operations and will supply Earthbound Farm with volume to fulfill orders for the Pride of San Juan labels.
Melissa's launches new book of produce
Cases of Melissa's Great Book of Produce (John Wiley & Sons) began hitting bookstores in early March, but it is also being introduced in a place where not many books about food generally appear: in the produce departments of grocery stores across the country.
Newman's Own Organics hits the streets
CHICAGO -- Larger-than-life graphics of Newman's Own Organics hit the streets of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin this month. The graphics cover the entire body of delivery trucks belonging to Goodness Greeness, a leading distributor of organic produce in the Midwest, and are the result of a distribution partnership between Goodness Greeness and Newman's Own Organics.
After much hard work, mango promotions now underway
In late February, a national retail chain ran a mango ad with the National Mango Promotion Board logo. That was the first fruit of the labors of the board's merchandising staff.
California asparagus season delayed by cold, wet weather
As of early February, it was looking as though the California asparagus season might get underway earlier than ever due to mild winter weather. But wet and exceptionally cool weather from late February through early March has delayed the crop, making it later than usual rather than earlier. It may also be lighter than normal in volume throughout the season (which typically runs through May), according to some sources.