Northwest cherry sales soar with cherry-picked Taiwanese pop icons
Picture this: eVonne, one of Taiwan's pop sensations, strolling under the midday sun through a Yakima Valley cherry orchard. MTV Asia award-winning music video director Kuang Sheng Fu trains his camera on eVonne's expressive face, but also carefully frames in hanging clusters and crates full of shining Bing cherries.
Salmonella find triggers cantaloupe recall
Eagle Produce LP in Scottsdale, AZ -- a division of Scottsdale, AZ-based Martori Farms -- has recalled 685 cases of cantaloupe because it had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Idaho potato industry loses Max Herbold
BURLEY, ID -- Idaho potato pioneer Max Herbold, one of the founders of Idaho Potato Processors, died on his 91st birthday June 23 at Highland Estates care facility in Burley, ID.
According to Dennis Herbold, president of Max Herbold Inc., his father's passion "was the potato business and the many friends and associates he made along the way."
Obregon to expand HAB's Network Marketing Center
Veteran international produce distribution and marketing executive Jose Luis Obregon has become the first managing director of the Hass Avocado Board's pioneering Network Marketing Center.
Mr. Obregon was appointed based on his extensive international marketing experience, a requisite for expanding the reach of the boards state-of-the-art NMC and its intranet site, avoHQ.com. The center provides in-depth and timely information on crop volume, shipments, markets and promotions accessible from anywhere in the world.
First shipment of Australian citrus displays high volume and maturity
The 13th is proving to be a lucky number for DNE and the Australian citrus crop it has imported exclusively since 1992. The arrival of the River Phoenix with the year's first shipment of seedless Navel oranges from the Aussie groves, occurred at the port of San Diego July 6, carrying some good news for retailers as well.
California Table Grape Commission's 2005 marketing plan features a multi-faceted approach
FRESNO, CA -- The California Table Grape Commission's 2005 marketing program consists of many different elements, all designed to help retailers increase their grape category sales.
According to Cindy Plummer, the commission's vice president of domestic marketing, there are several new components to the program this year.
New York state growers expect a great season
A hot and dry April, followed by a wet and cold May, and then finally a very hot and dry June have challenged New York state's growers so far this season, but when all is said and done, almost all expect to have great-quality crops.
"It has been a season of extremes, but overall crops are looking good," said Steve Reiners, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at Cornell University and a staff member at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY.
Paganini Foods 'gives birth' to Tropea onions
Sweet onions have long laid claim to being devoid of the acid enzyme that causes burning eyes and profuse tearing. While chefs and home cooks will tolerate the temporary discomfort if it means having onions in their recipes, many have switched to the sweet varieties to avoid the annoyance.
The Tropea onion, also touted as the "Sweet Red Onion of Tropea," lays a particularly strong claim to being the sweetest of all onions. Chefs and home cooks in the United States now have the ability to test the theory for themselves.
DiSogra to lead new nutrition policy program for United
WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association has selected Lorelei DiSogra, director of the federal government's 5 A Day program for the past four years and a former Dole Food Co. executive, to join the association in the new position of vice president of nutrition and health, effective Aug. 1.
Renaissance Food Group gains presence in Florida
Retail fresh-cut specialist Renaissance Food Group announced the addition of Fruit Dynamics LLC in Naples, FL, to its fresh-cut supply chain network. Renaissance began shipping to Southeast retailers from the new location on July 1.
The new license agreement will expand Renaissance's next-day fresh-cut distribution of its "Garden Highway" line of premium quality fresh-cut fruits, vegetables and overwrap melon halves and quarters to retailers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.