Sunkist to roll out cut-fruit-in-glass line
MONTEREY, CA -- Randall Freeman, at one time the national director of sales for the cut-fruit-in-glass line for Del Monte Foods Co., has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Sunkist Growers Inc. to launch a cut-fruit- in-glass line under the "Sunkist" brand name to compete with Del Monte.
Mr. Freeman's newly formed Freeman Foods LLC, based here, will handle all sales and marketing logistics. Under terms of the agreement with Sunkist, Freeman Foods can sell product in plastic or glass in the United States and Canada.
Florida tomato industry makes plea to trade for relaxed standards
As the Florida produce industry begins its recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma, members of the state's tomato industry are fearful of a crisis situation if quality standards are not eased while growers attempt to regroup.
RETAIL VIEW: Organic/natural foods format gaining momentum
Build a better mousetrap, and the world is supposed to beat a path to your door. It probably was with this old adage in mind that Whole Foods Chief Executive Officer John Mackey recently told a business publication, "I keep waiting for the competition I've been hearing about, but nobody else is doing quite what we're doing." That magazine, BusinessWeek, published an article in mid- October questioning whether the natural foods retailer was growing too fast and also detailed the growth of that sector.
Produce industry mourns loss of Joe Brennan, former PMA chairman
Joseph J. Brennan died at home Oct. 28 after a four-year battle with lung cancer He was 70 years old.
He is perhaps best known in produce circles for his many years as senior purchasing agent with the Marriott Corp. and for his service with the Produce Marketing Association.
IN THE TRENCHES: Trade shows are more than just a free T-shirt
Wow, where did the year go?
Once again, it's time for another Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit. This is the biggest and best produce industry event of its kind anywhere in the world.
There are more than 780 exhibitors covering over 600,000 square feet of space at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
NewStar rolling out new items at PMA convention
Salinas, CA-based NewStar Fresh Foods LLC will introduce several new items at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit in Atlanta.
NewStar's sleeved asparagus, which has been under development for a year, is set for a Jan. 1 national rollout, said John Killeen, the company's vice president of sales and marketing.
From both handling and food-safety standpoints, the sleeve is a plus, Mr. Killeen said.
"The bag keeps [asparagus] hydrated," Mr. Killeen said. "People handle the bag, not the product."
Walla Walla chef to dish up sweet fare at PMA show
Chef de cuisine Andrew LeTourneau of 26 brix restaurant in Walla Walla, WA, will be on hand Sunday, Nov. 6, at Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee's booth (No. 1643) at the Produce Marketing Association's convention in Atlanta.
Chef LeTourneau, who is filling in at the Atlanta event for chef-owner Mike Davis, will be dishing up a variety of Walla Walla sweet onion samples and providing recipes for booth visitors. Chef Davis, in the meantime, will be at home in Walla Walla, where he and his wife, Krista, are awaiting the birth of their first child.
Produce industry awaits final action on spending bill
WASHINGTON -- The Senate is expected to approve a final agriculture spending bill that would delay country-of- origin labeling for two more years, raise the profile of specialty crops and give organic producers the fix they needed to allow the organic program to go forward.
DRC adds transportation category
The Dispute Resolution Corp., based in Ottawa, ON, has added a transportation membership category and is now accepting membership applications from carriers and transportation intermediaries, the agency announced in a statement.
The family retail business suits Gina Ancona just fine
RIDGEFIELD, CT -- Gina Ancona was born July 26, 1976, in Ridgefield, CT, where she still lives. She went to Ridgefield High School. Her parents live in Ridgefield. She works in Ridgefield. She really is a local girl. She is also a key part of Ancona's Market, a family-owned supermarket that has been serving the people of Ridgefield, in southwestern Connecticut, since the 1920s.