'Fresh and seasonal' the mantra of successful new restaurant chain
Darden Restaurants Inc. in Orlando, FL, the world's largest casual dining restaurant operator, has developed a new restaurant concept that perfectly suits the trend toward high-nutrition and lower-calorie dining. The organization, which is best known for its Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants, opened its first Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar in Orlando, FL, in February 2003. The restaurant proved so successful that it opened two additional locations in 2005: one in Fort Lauderdale and another in Altamonte Springs, near Orlando.
The Herbal Garden looks to expand its reach through alliance with Fresh Connect
The Herbal Garden in Wauconda, IL, and Fresh Connect in Chicago have signed an agreement whereby Fresh Connect will handle foodservice sales for The Herbal Garden. Acting as account representatives, Fresh Connect will represent The Herbal Garden to chain operators as well as distributors.
Foxy and Hidden Valley launch two new vegetable trays
Gonzales, CA-based Foxy Foods, a leading supplier of fresh vegetable trays to consumers, has introduced two new vegetable trays using national brand, "Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Dressing."
The vegetable trays, available in 18- and 36-ounce sizes, offer consumers the opportunity to use the Hidden Valley dressing, which has the highest total advertising awareness among leading bottled dressing brands with 16 percent of all consumers indicating that "Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Dressing is the only dressing they would buy.
A&P sells Canadian division to Metro
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. sold its 236 Canadian stores to the Quebec-based Metro Inc. retail operation this week in a move that was apparently very well received by the U.S. business community.
In Canadian dollars, the deal was announced at $1.7 billion: $1.2 billion Canadian in cash and $500 million Canadian in stock. The infusion of cash will help A&P retire much of its U.S. debt and refurbish many of its stores.
Central Valley enduring heat wave
FRESNO, CA -- An extended heat wave in the Central Valley, which began June 30 and continued with a string of triple-digit temperatures through most of the month, has affected various crops currently being harvested in the valley. The nature of the effect differs with the type of crop.
With tomatoes, for example, the immediate effect appears to have been minor, but the heat caused a bloom drop that could reduce yields in four to six weeks.
PMA adds to already-growing Foodservice Conference agenda
Putting together an annual event such as the Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference in Monterey, CA, is akin to putting on a Super Bowl halftime show: Each successive show must attempt to outdo the previous one.
Unlike the Super Bowl, PMA's plans did not call for a provocative clothing mishap a la Janet Jackson. Still, more of what draws people to the show was planned for this year, said Lorna Christie, senior vice president of PMA.
David R. Smith resigns as president and CEO of BC Hot House Foods
BC Hot House Foods Inc. in Surrey, British Columbia, announced July 20 the resignation of David R. Smith as president and chief executive officer.
Mr. Smith contributed three years to BC Hot House, in which time he focused on building and strengthenin g grower relations, acquiring year-round critical mass necessary to service a consolidated customer base, providing customers superior logistics and customer service and differentiating BC Hot House in the industry as a full product line greenhouse p roducer.
Mills' quality-assurance manager tackles responsibility head on
As quality assurance manager for Salinas, CA-based Mills Family Farms' Wholeaves program, 25-year-old Kari Scheidhauer shoulders a lot of responsibility. "The ax falls on me" in the event of food-safety problems, Ms. Scheidhauer said. Still, she's grateful for the opportunity and feels that she's making a contribution to the program.
Chiquita makes management changes at Fresh Express
Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced July 14 that it has made a series of senior management changes, among them that its board of directors has elected Tanios Viviani, 44, as president of Fresh Express.
Chiquita acquired Fresh Express -- a U.S. market leader in value-added salads -- last month.
Potato shippers meet to develop marketing plan
Growers and packers from the Washington & Oregon United Potato Growers Cooperative and the United of Idaho Potato Growers Cooperative met in Pasco, WA, recently to discuss the upcoming summer potato harvest and marketing period.
At the meeting, it was agreed that all three states must work together to market the crop in an orderly fashion and to assure the growers a fair market price for their potatoes.
The group met under the umbrella of the Capper Volstead Act, which allows growers and shippers to meet and discuss marketing, pricing and supply.