Winn-Dixie moving ahead on bankruptcy issues
Winn-Dixie, the Florida retailer that filed for bankruptcy protection in February, is working through that process as it has come to terms with some of its major vendors and announced the sale of some of its stores.
Johnson O'Hare expands operations into eastern and central Pennsylvania
Johnson O'Hare, a leading full-service produce sales and marketing organization in New England and metropolitan New York, announced the expansion of its produce operations into eastern and central Pennsylvania.
The new organization, JO'H Produce PA, will be headquartered in Conshohocken, PA. Terri Lowden, vice president of JO'H Produce PA, will lead a team that will cover headquarters and retail in the Philadelphia and Harrisburg markets.
In addition, the company has added to its staff to facilitate the expansion.
DRC urges caution in shipping to Montreal and Toronto
In mid-July, the Canadian-based Dispute Resolution Corp. took the unusual step of issuing what it called a "Red Alert," advising its members to be "especially careful about selling into eastern Canada.
The alert said, in part: "Based on reports we have received in recent weeks, we believe there has been an upsurge in fraudulent produce buying by unscrupulous individuals in Quebec and Ontario, most notably in Montreal and Toronto.
New snack line taps into the power of produce
NEW YORK -- Obesity awareness, the health and nutrition movement, the new USDA MyPyramid Plan and a restructured understanding of the importance of regular exercise and physical activity are all having a dramatic impact on how American consumers spends their time and money.
They have also inspired innovative food producers to tap into the movement by introducing products that promise good nutrition.
RCMA fundraiser brings holiday thoughts
Although it's mid-summer, several Florida agricultural organizations already are working on their Christmas cards through an annual fundraiser for RCMA, the rural child care and education provider.
Children from RCMA centers statewide drew colorful, unique Christmas scenes that are being converted into holiday greeting cards to raise money for the non-profit organization, which cares for more than 6,200 children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families statewide.
Distributors meet at Drumthwacket for Jersey Fresh breakfast
PRINCETON, NJ -- About 50 people gathered here Friday morning, July 29 to hear New Jersey's governor and secretary of agriculture thank the attendees for their ongoing support of the state's fresh produce industry and to offer a brief update on the 2005 Jersey Fresh promotional campaign.
Second 'Diamond of Fruit' promotion staged by Sage Fruit Co.
For the second consecutive year, Sage Fruit Co. has used the catchy "Diamond of Fruit" tag for Northwest cherries for a diamond giveaway in the greater Kansas City area.
Sage, with growing operations in Washington state and sales and marketing offices strategically positioned across the country, is headed by Chuck Sinks, president, who was on hand July 30 for the culmination of the promotion, which was held at 21 Kansas City-area Price Chopper stores.
W. Newell & Co. taps industry veterans to lead sales team
W. Newell & Co. announced Aug. 1 that Keith Frosceno has joined the company as regional vice president of sales, and Charlie Nealis as area sales director. Both Messrs. Frosceno and Nealis have nearly 20 years' experience in the produce industry.
New Zealand Jazz promotions set the stage for Washington season
This summer, ENZA has tuned up the apple category with the "Pure Apple Groove" of Jazz.
The popular Royal Gala/Braeburn cross, now grown in New Zealand and in Washington, is appearing at jazz festivals, concerts and in retail produce departments throughout the United States and Canada. The Oppenheimer Group, ENZA's North American marketing arm, has even brought jazz musicians into stores to serenade shoppers as they sample the tangy-sweet apple.
Apple industry hails narrowly approved CAFTA
WASHINGTON The U.S. apple industry said that President Bush signed the landmark Central America Free Trade Agreement just in time to create a duty-free market for a bumper crop of fall-harvested apples.
The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives matched every prediction that it would be a close one, passing 217-215 in the early hours of July 28. The Senate passed it last month by a 54-45 margin.