Grallert joins Santa Sweets
Santa Sweets Inc., based in Plant City, FL, has hired Christopher Grallert as its senior vice president of marketing and sales.
"Our 'Santa Sweets' and UglyRipe brands have grown fantastically over the years," said Don Long, president of Santa Sweets. With new products on the frontier, we welcome the expertise Christopher Grallert will provide in helping structure Santa Sweets expected growth.
BC Hot House a finalist in BC Export Awards
BC Hot House Foods Inc. in Surrey, BC, a leader in the greenhouse-grown produce industry, is one of this year's finalists in the 2005 British Columbia Export Awards.
The BC Export Awards recognize companies in British Columbia that are leading the province in developing export markets and channels.
The awards are comprised of three finalists in seven categories: New Exporter, Advancing Technologies, Consumer Products, Manufactured Products, New Media & Entertainment, Primary Products & Resources and Professional & Services.
Investment firms in the hunt for Albertsons
According to widespread news reports, investment firms are lining up to bid for Albertsons. Knowledgeable sources are saying that both the real estate which the company owns and its geographic diversity are attractive characteristics for investment firms.
Strategic sweet onion marketing deal joins East with West
Bland Farms in Glennville, GA, and Sweet Clover Produce LLC in Quincy, WA, have entered into a marketing partnership that will allow the companies to offer a year-round supply of high-quality sweet onions.
In addition to Vidalia and Walla Walla sweet onions, sourcing will include onions from South America. All product will be certified for sweetness by an independent lab.
FTC celebrates 50 years and unveils new TV ad campaign
NAPLES, FL Celebrating its golden anniversary, the Florida Tomato Committee unveiled a series of four commercials that will mark the organization's first national television brand campaign for fresh Florida tomatoes during the 30th annual Joint Florida Tomato Conference held Sept. 6-11, here, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Immigration, COOL and farm bill top priorities for United
WASHINGTON Money is always tight for specialty crops, but attendees of United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference, here, heard news that the budget for agriculture got even tighter as Congress responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
More than 275 members of the produce industry representing more than 30 states signed up for the Sept. 13-16 conference, which provided an opportunity to hear from elected leaders and lobby congressional staff on hot-button issues.
State lets Ralph's Grocery off the hook on false ads
The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Sept. 13 that no further action would be taken against Ralph's Grocery Co. for violations involving the grocery chains alleged false advertising of Mexican-grown grapes as Californian-grown grapes.
Green leaf lettuce and tomatoes play starring role in McDonald's new sandwich line
When launching its new line of premium chicken sandwiches in early August, fast-food restaurant giant McDonald's Corp. made sure that consumers will be getting high-quality produce in every bite.
The new sandwich line, which includes the Classic, Ranch BLT and Club, all contain tomatoes and green leaf lettuce, which the company has promoted in recent press releases.
NAM kicks off Retail Display Contest
National Apple Month has kicked off its 2005 Retail Display Contest with a new national focus that should help supermarkets across the country boost apple sales and keep apples top of mind for consumers throughout the year.
This year's contest began Sept. 1 and will run through November, according to NAM Director Kay Rentzel. It is open to all retailers in the United States as well as all military commissaries in this country and abroad.
Guatemalan exporter serves Texas retailer via direct deal
Baby Fresh of Guatemala is enjoying robust sales through a direct deal in shipping prepackaged baby vegetables to the Central Market chain, which is owned by H.E. Butt Grocery Co., headquartered in San Antonio, TX.
Baby Fresh owner Antonio Maldonado told The Produce News Sept. 7 that his sales are strong in the upscale six-store Texas chain, which has locations in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Plano and Dallas.