Fresh Produce Association of the Americas will expand into San Diego
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in Nogales, AZ, is a trade association that has historically represented Nogales-based companies or companies with a Nogales presence involved in growing, packing, sales and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico.
Most of the products coming into Nogales are grown in the states of Sinaloa and Sonora in northwestern mainland Mexico, directly to the south of Nogales, although products coming to Nogales also originate in other parts of the country.
United and PMA offer melon industry food safety guidance
WASHINGTON -- In a joint effort to help the fresh produce industry ensure the highest levels of food safety, the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Produce Marketing Association released a document titled Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines For The Melon Supply Chain.
Developed by a group of leading produce food safety experts and representatives of operations within the industry, the document provides food safety guidance for the entire melon supply chain.
Houston Food Bank names new president and CEO
The Houston Food Bank, a private non-profit organization that fights hunger by providing food and other essentials to 400 hunger-relief programs in 18 southeast Texas counties, announced the hiring of Brian Greene as president and chief executive officer.
GlobalCalifornia.org to help California businesses
SALINAS, CA -- For the first time in California's trade promotion history, four trade promotion and three economic development organizations are collaborating to deliver their services through a single point of access. Area companies -- including agriculture companies -- will access the most comprehensive set of services to assist, guide and help them enter international markets.
SALINAS SCENE: American Agri-Women get earful on trends
Congregants at this year's 30th annual conference of American Agri-Women, held the weekend of Nov. 12 in Monterey, CA, heard much about changing trends in food at retail and in foodservice.
Roberta Cook, marketing economist with the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics with the University of California at Davis, touched on numerous trends in a power- point presentation, which relied heavily on data from Food Marketing Institute as well as other sources.
The following are highlights from her talk:
Taiwan levels 'second strike' on Northwest apples for codling moth detection
For the second time in six weeks, Taiwan's Bureau of Animal & Plant Health Inspection & Quarantine has detected a codling moth larva in apples shipped from Washington state.
While all U.S. growers and shippers other than those involved with the detection remain eligible for export to Taiwan, the so-called "second strike" moves the industry closer to a possible closure of the Asian market, which could occur should a third detection be made.
Global Berry Farms fortifies grower relations plan with new hire
Mike Taylor was appointed to the newly created position of director of grower relations and supply development for Global Berry Farms, headquartered in Naples, FL. He will be working from the Salinas, CA, office.
The position was created as part of the company's commitment to growth and to provide support to its growers to meet the rapidly increasing demand for Naturipe products.
OPMA's 10th annual awards gala recognizes greatness north of the border
The Ontario Produce Marketing Association held its annual gala dinner and awards ceremony Nov. 12 at the DoubleTree International Plaza Hotel in Toronto.
Almost 400 people attended the event and were treated to an evening of fun, food and excitement, as well as industry tributes during the group's 10th annual awards ceremony.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement award to Gerard (Whitey) Van Alebeek of Bradford & District Produce Ltd. Steve Stewart, a long time associate of Mr. Van Alebeek, presented the award.
Beachside and Main Street ink pact
Guadalupe, CA-based grower-shipper Beachside Produce LLC and Santa Maria, CA-based Main Street Produce Inc. have struck an agreement whereby Beachside began marketing Main Street's vegetable products Nov. 9.
Main Street Produce, a longtime grower-shipper of broccoli, bell peppers and strawberries in the Santa Maria Valley, will continue to market its own strawberry crops.
FCM sees progress at recent citrus canker and greening workshop
Florida Citrus Mutual, headquartered in Lakeland, FL, organized and hosted the second International Citrus Canker & Greening Research Workshop Nov. 7-11 in Orlando, FL. The meeting assembled international researchers who have specific expertise on canker and greening to discuss the current status of knowledge and to extract information relative to the ongoing situation in Florida.