Albert's Organics opens web-based produce college
Albert's Organics announced the opening of its web-based Organic Produce College. The college is a series of 20 lessons on the care, handling, merchandising and marketing of organic produce. The program is designed as a service for independent natural foodstore owners, general managers and produce managers, but would be of benefit to any produce professional, particularly a conventional grocery store produce manager who is starting a new or expanded organics program.
The program can be accessed at Albert's Organics web site, www.albertsorganics.com.
Railex plans unveiled at PMA
By April or May, an innovative transportation option will be in place for Washington state's grower-shippers, allowing fresh produce to travel from that state to New York in five days by refrigerated rail car.
The new service, provided by Railex LLC, will move perishable commodities by a 55-car train. Each of the new 64-foot refrigerated boxcars will carry the equivalent of four truckloads, and the high-speed travel time will be achieved by keeping the train intact and moving non-stop from its loading point in Wallula, WA, to its destination in Albany, NY.
Castellini Co. chairman headed for presidency of Cincinnati Reds
Produce industry veteran Robert H. Castellini may soon be the new president of the Cincinnati Reds.
Mr. Castellini heads a group of local businessmen who have made a bid to purchase a controlling interest in Major League Baseball's oldest franchise. If the group's efforts are approved by the other owners in the league, which is expected to occur before the end of the year, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Mr. Castellini would replace Carl Lindner as the team's chief executive officer.
New York apples featured on Food Network
MANLIUS, NY -- New York Apple Association nutritional spokeswoman Linda Quinn will star in an episode of "The Secret Life of ..." which is shown on the Food Network. The show featuring Ms. Quinn will premier Nov. 14 at 10 p.m.
In the episode, Ms. Quinn interacts with host Jim O'Connor as they make a classic apple pie for the show's holiday special, "The Secret Life of ... Thanksgiving"
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: Fall merchandising opportunities still exist for apples
For more than a century, National Apple Month has provided a promotional foundation for the domestic apple industry, which evolved from a single-day event to a three-month promotional marketing opportunity for retailer and military stores nationwide. Most important, it is not too late to capitalize on the fall merchandising and display benefits of the 2005 National Apple Month contest.
Delicious Foods announces new advisory board member
MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Delicious Foods announced that Dan Hamilton has joined its advisory board effective immediately. Mr. Hamilton was formerly the senior vice president of marketing for H.E. Butt Grocery Co.'s Houston division and has held a number of key executive positions at HEB in the perishables and marketing areas.
PMA panel: Creativity, eye on trends leads to fresh marketing ideas
ATLANTA -- An orange is an orange is an orange -- except when it isn't. When it or any other item in fresh produce is more is a determination made by those with their finger on the pulse of consumer tastes.
Janet Erickson first woman to lead PMA board of directors
The 2005-06 PMA board of directors took office on Nov. 4 during the Produce Marketing Association's 2005 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta.
Chairman of the Board Janet Erickson, executive vice president, purchasing and quality assurance for Del Taco Inc. in Lake Forest, CA, was joined on the board by three other officers and 21 directors.
Global economic factors discussed at Fresh Summit
ATLANTA -- The U.S. market will continue to be a flourishing consumer market because of ongoing immigration and because baby boomers are having two children per couple, creating an "echo boom," according to Jeffrey Rosensweig, associate dean and director of the global perspectives program at Goizueta Business School at Emory University, here.
Asia, notably Japan, and Europe, will slow in population growth because many couples are having one child, he said. Markets in China and India will remain emerging markets.
Healthy Habits for Life Partnership with Sesame Workshop announced at PMA
ATLANTA -- Cookie Monster, the lovable Sesame Street character who got his name from his propensity to devour cookies in a frenzy after proclaiming "Me love cookies," made a guest appearance at the Sunkist Growers booth during the Produce Marketing Association international convention and exposition, here, Nov. 7.
He may never be the same.