Pro*Act adds distributor in Texas
Pro*Act, a leading fresh produce supplier to the foodservice industry based in Monterey, CA, announced that Hardie's Fruit & Vegetable Co.-South, formerly Five Star Produce, in Austin, TX, has become its newest produce distributor.
Pro*Act provides consolidated produce distribution programs, sourcing, and information services to regional and national multi-unit foodservice operators through its vast network of independent distributors.
Washington rally urges guest worker reform
WASHINGTON -- Time is running out for the U.S. Senate to fix a controversial immigration reform bill, but Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) reassured a crowd of producers and farmers who traveled to the nation's Capitol March 15 that relief is in sight.
During a meeting with the Senate leadership, Sen. Craig said that he was told immigration reform legislation would not move out of the Senate without an appropriate title for agriculture.
"We are causing them to understand that this industry is more sensitive to the need for a steady labor force than all others," he said.
Fresh-cut data available via alliance between IFPA and the Perishables Group
The International Fresh-cut Produce Association in Alexandria, VA, is partnering with the Perishables Group, an independent consulting firm, to provide the fresh-cut produce industry with syndicated data reports that measure the performance of the total fresh-cut fruit and vegetable business at retail.
The new initiative -- sponsored by DuPont -- will provide association members with the first-ever picture of the total fresh-cut produce space, including UPC-coded product, as well as items sold by the pound and processed in the store.
Siblings revel in each other's company at Johnson Produce
Sibling rivalry isn't an issue for brothers Jay and Glenn Johnson at the Johnson Produce Co. in Pompano Beach, FL. It's more of a team effort for this third-generation duo at the company founded by their grandfather, John Bill (JW) Johnson, 60 years ago.
SPC annual conference combines tours, seminars, expo and fun
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- If exciting field tours, educational workshops, a bold keynote speech, a comprehensive trade show and fun-filled social events make for a successful conference, then by all accounts the Southeast Produce Council's recently completed third annual conference and expo fit the bill.
The conference, held March 2-4 in the Fort Lauderdale area, got underway with a golf tournament at the TPC Heron Bay in Coral Springs. The team from Southern Valley took first place, and all golfers enjoyed a buffet barbecue dinner at the club Thursday evening, March 2.
National Mango Promotion Board up and running
The U.S. mango industry has been collecting assessments on imported mangos for the past 14 months and the National Mango Promotion Board is poised to begin promoting the product.
"By the end of March, we will have run some trade ads and begun some promotional programs in the industry," said William Watson, executive director of the board.
Texas onion producers looking for bumper crop in 2006
Acreage figures point to a Texas spring onion crop that is almost 15 percent larger than last year, and early reports indicate that quality and size will also be up.
"My guys just finished walking the fields and they told me the crop is looking quite good. We are very optimistic," Bob De Bruyn of De Bruyn Produce Co. said March 1. "It doesn't look like a particularly heavy crop, but the condition is really good."
CPAC names new executive director
The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee in Monte Vista, CO, announced March 8 that it has filled its top position after an extensive search.
Jim Ehrlich, 49, a local regional manager for Coors Beer for the past 10 years, was selected from several applicants. The job has been vacant since former Director Chris Voigt left last year to head the Washington State Potato Commission.
Christine Aguiar joins Stemilt
Stemilt Growers Inc. in Wenatchee, WA, announced the addition of Christine Aguiar, former marketing and promotions manager for the California Pear Advisory Board, to Stemilt's team of merchandising managers.
T&A reaching home cooks with Allrecipes.com
Salinas, CA-based Tanimura & Antle Inc. has partnered with Allrecipes.com, a popular cooking and recipe web site, to continue building brand recognition and to promote product trial and usage among T&A's audience of home cooks.
Nielsen/NetRatings ranked Allrecipes.com as the leading recipe and everyday cooking web site. More than 9.1 million unique visitors went to the site, which is among the Internet's longest-running food sites, for recipes, menus and cooking advice in December.