Maine agriculture commissioner to step down
Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci announced that Robert W. Spear would be stepping down as commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources.
"During Bob's tenure as commissioner, he has shepherded the department's development of some bold and important programs, whether Senior Farm Share, Farms for the Future, or the dairy stabilization," Gov. Baldacci said in a statement. "Maine's farmers have certainly benefited from his leadership and I have enjoyed working with him."
Hurricane Wilma damage unveiled as more companies get back to business
"First and foremost in importance, I am happy to report that none of our people were injured by Hurricane Wilma," said Billy Heller, chief operating officer of Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. in Palmetto, FL. "Regarding crop conditions, however, some of our growing regions in the state fared better than others. We will be harvesting as planned in the Palmetto and Ruskin areas [of Florida], but it is too early to tell the exact extent of damage done in this region.
DAY AFTER WILMA: little communication leads to much speculation
"When Hurricane Wilma moved across the state, it was followed by a cold front," said Ray Gilmer, director of public affairs for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in Maitland. "That front turned into what is today [Tuesday, Oct. 25] an absolutely beautiful day. It's 65 degrees and crystal clear."
It is the kind of day that draws thousands of visitors and winter residents to the state in increasing numbers each year. But that is also part of the problem.
RETAIL VIEW: Community effort needed to bring retailers to urban and rural areas
In Fresno, CA, community activists cajoled the city council into spending $11 million in redevelopment funds on a Food Maxx supermarket. In Newark, NJ, it took six years of lobbying and two years of legal battles to turn 62 blighted parcels into a Pathmark supermarket. In rural Chinle, AZ, a community development corporation on the Navajo Nation built a Basha's Market to serve the local Native Americans, and in so doing created more than 170 jobs for local residents.
Fourth-generation carrying on farming tradition at Forrence Orchards
Looking after a large portion of a major apple orchard takes more than brawn, but four generations of Forrence family members have taken any "brains or brawn" analogies you may have heard in the past to new levels.
U.S. Potato Board hosts media luncheon to dispel potato myths
NEW YORK -- Trend diets have become as common to the American public as mashed potatoes, but none, unfortunately, are nearly as tasty. The onslaught of diets that dictate carbohydrate restriction has caused several fresh produce categories to suffer, both economically and in how consumers perceive them. In this light, none comes to mind faster than potatoes.
AgriCap enjoying booming business
Los Angeles-based AgriCap LLC has carved out a niche of financial services that has found the business doubling every year since its inception in 2001, said president and co-founder Rick Jones.
"We've exceeded all expectations in terms of growth," Mr. Jones said.
The company's core services include accounts receivable factoring and commercial real estate financing. It also offers seasonal production financing, trade financing and vendor financing.
Grower expansion strengthens Oppenheimer pepper program
In the coming months, Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer Group will gain additional greenhouse pepper distribution, thanks to increased volume from Divemex.
New temperature-recording company enters U.S. market
A new company has emerged in the temperature-monitoring business with an eye toward making a mark in an already- competitive U.S. marketplace.
Escort Data Loggers LLC, which was incorporated in January and is based in Redmond, WA, will handle U.S. sales, marketing and distribution of technology and products developed by Escort Data Systems LLC, an Auckland, New Zealand-based company founded in 1989 by Andrew Maskill.
Finally, Birds Eye Fresh adds mushroom line
Mushrooms are considered to be a perfect complement to many dishes, and with the recent signing of a supply agreement with Birds Eye Fresh, one major mushroom supplier will have a chance to prove that its product is the perfect complement to a national fresh produce brand.
Under an agreement signed Oct. 18, Cardile Bros. Mushroom Packaging Inc. in Avondale, PA, will supply fresh white and exotic mushrooms to be distributed nationwide under the "Birds Eye Fresh" label.