Pacific Gold Farms partners with Naturipe
Naples, FL-based Global Berry Farms LLC has reached an agreement through its Naturipe Berry Growers arm to market strawberries grown by Watsonville, CA-based Pacific Gold Farms.
Pacific Gold's strawberries will be marketed under Global's "Naturipe" label. Pacific Gold Farms will continue to grow berries but will no longer market them itself.
IN THE TRENCHES: Time for more action, not more wishful thinking
Do these statements sound familiar to you?
CEO: "We're going to give our customers the best products all of the time at the lowest prices along with superior service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Blah, blah, blah ..."
Division vice president: "This new corporate produce program is one of the best ever and supervision will get behind it all the way. We'll support any extra labor it needs to make it work. I'm not just saying this because company officers are here at our meeting. Blah, blah, blah ..."
Sun World and Israeli Plant Board settle dispute over plum varieties
Sun World International LLC in Bakersfield, CA, and the Plant Board of Israel in Tel Aviv reached a definitive agreement Nov. 21 relative to the licensed production and marketing of Suplumeleven and Suplumtwelve variety plums in Israel.
The agreement was announced by the plant board manager, Gadi Horvitz, and Sun World Senior Vice President David Marguleas.
Longtime wholesaler at Hunts Point files Chapter 11
Rosenthal & Klein Inc., a fixture at New York's Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, for nearly 30 years, has ceased operations and filed for reorganization in federal bankruptcy court under Chapter 11.
DNE signs marketing pact with Calif. grower
Golden Farms Express, a top-quality fresh citrus independent grower and packer from the Dinuba area in the San Joaquin Valley, is the latest California producer to affiliate with DNE California Inc. beginning with this fall's Navel packing season.
Wholesale Produce opens sales office in Canada
Minneapolis-based Wholesale Produce Supply announced that it has opened an affiliated sales office in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"With the opening of this sales office, we are demonstrating our commitment to better serve our customers in Canada," said Brian Hauge, president of Wholesale Produce. "Our future goals are to further expand our business in Canada, which will enable us to provide even greater customer service. We are very excited and optimistic to commence this new connection, and we believe we will continue to develop and increase our business in Canada."
Guatemala, Florida firms partner for Mexican berry deal
ATLANTA -- Fresh Harvest Mexico is a new joint venture between Guatemala's Planesa S.A. and Fresh Harvest International in Pompano Beach, FL.
Planesa founder and owner Roberto Castaneda met with The Produce News, here, amid the PMA convention to discuss his 50-50 partnership in Mexico with his friend George Ellis, owner of Fresh Harvest. They will be growing blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.
Mr. Castaneda called Mr. Ellis "one of the best producers of blueberries in Florida."
Warmerdam Packing celebrates 40 years in business and looks to the future
There's no sitting still for Warmerdam Packing LLC in Hanford, CA. Even as the company marks its 40th anniversary, it is undertaking changes intended to make the fruit growing and packing operation bigger and better.
Warmerdam Packing was founded in 1965 by Bill Warmerdam, who is still the company's president and who is known for his innovative packinghouse design concepts. His son, John Warmerdam, is general manager and oversees field operations.
FDA rejects claims that lycopene reduces cancer risks
WASHINGTON -- Tomatoes and/or tomato sauces may reduce the risk of certain cancers, but the Food & Drug Administration has flatly rejected health claims linking lycopene as having any cancer-prevention qualities.
After a two-year review and several delays, FDA ruled on two petitions that asked regulators to allow a wide variety of new health claims regarding eating tomatoes and processed tomato products.
Frontera launches melon import program
Frontera Produce announced that it has begun a new melon import program into the port of Corpus Christi to service retailers and wholesale distributors throughout the United States.
Frontera, based in Edinburg, TX, will be importing cantaloupe and honeydew from Guatemala through Altobaso S.A., contracting 2,400 tons per week for the duration of the season running November to May.