Tops concentrates its efforts
Tops Markets, which is owned by Ahold USA, has announced that it will sell its 31 stores in eastern New York to focus on its core markets in western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In a company statement, the retailer said that it has reached agreement to sell six of the 31 stores to Price Chopper, and it is looking for buyers for the other 25 stores.
Tops plans to use the capital raised from the transactions for updates to the company's new prototype, Martins Super Food Stores, which debuted in Perinton, NY, last September.
Matt Simis promoted to director of strategy at T&A
Tanimura & Antle in Spreckles, CA, announced July 27 that Matt Simis has been promoted to director of strategy, reporting directly to CEO Rick Antle, whom he will assist in developing strategic direction for Tanimura & Antle and its affiliated companies.
New PMA foodservice board takes office in Monterey
NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association welcomed its 2005-06 foodservice board of directors, which took office during the PMA Foodservice Conference, Tours & Expo, July 23-25, in Monterey, CA.
Foodservice Board Chairman Gene Harris, senior p urchasing manager for Denny's Corp. in Spartanburg, SC, is joined by 16 directors. They are:
* Leonard Batti, vice president of production and processing at NewStar in Salinas, CA.
* Steve Bleeker, corporate manager of sourcing and procurement at The Walt Disney Co. in Orlando, FL.
UC president, others embrace RFID technology
University of California President Robert Dynes expressed his enthusiasm after witnessing a recent Radio Frequency Identification presentation at NewStar Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, site of the nation's first RFID cold-chain produce testing center.
Sausalito, CA-based QLM Consulting and Michigan State University operate the facility on behalf of Eden Prairie, MN-based C.H. Robinson Worldwide and NewStar -- one of C.H. Robinson's preferred providers.
Mr. Dynes' enthusiasm was understandable to the small group that discussed RFID at NewStar after his departure.
Pear Bureau Northwest to sponsor local Olympic athlete
The Pear Bureau Northwest will sponsor local U.S. National Ski Team athlete Torin Koos during the 2005-06 season.
Mr. Koos, a native resident of Leavenworth, WA, is a premiere Nordic ski athlete who will compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. As part of the
sponsorship, he will make appearances at schools and other events as a spokesperson for USA Pears.
More than 1,500 attend PMA foodservice conference
NEWARK, DE -- More than 1,500 produce industry professionals, including double the number of foodservice buyers as last year, gathered at the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference, Tours & Exposition held July 23 to 25 in Monterey, CA.
"Restaurant operators at the Foodservice Conference are up in caliber and number," PMA foodservice board Chairman Gene Harris, senior purchasing manager of Denny's Corp., said in a July 27 statement. "This reflects PMA's industry leadership and the significance that produce plays on their customer's plate."
Maine broccoli now shipping from Fresh from the Start
RIVERHEAD, NY Fresh from the Start LLC, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, began shipping its Maine broccoli earlier this month.
"We had our first cut of broccoli on July 16," said Sales Manager Eric Scannelli. We started out a little dry, but we have had very good weather conditions and the outlook for the season is very good.
Save Mart touts its worth in meeting with suppliers
Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets Inc. has launched a campaign to help its suppliers recognize the size and scope of the chain and advantages the chain may have to offer.
Dole claims Ready Pac stole its employees
Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. has sued its competitor Ready Pac Produce Inc. for engaging in "unfair competition" because three top Dole employees have joined former Dole COO Larry Kern at Ready Pac in the last few months.
The suit was filed in Monterey Superior Court June 18 and alleges that Ready Pac has engaged and continues to engage in unfair competition. The suit names three employees that left Dole between March and June and now work for Ready Pac.
Produce suppliers carve out small niche at Fancy Food Show in New York
It is little surprise that a trade show named "Fancy Food" would quickly grow into one of the food industry's larger trade shows. It draws so many people that it is now held three times a year in three major U.S. cities: San Francisco, Chicago and New York.