Liberty Fruit celebrates 40 years
KANSAS CITY, KS -- Liberty Fruit Co. Inc., here, celebrated its 40th year in business Saturday, June 18, with a wonderful party at its facility.
The name "Liberty" was originated by Issie and Lee Caviar, who had a weekend fruit stand on Highway 50 in the 1950s and '60s. In 1965, Liberty Fruit Co. was founded and opened at the City Market in Kansas City, MO. Mr. Caviar and his wife, Mary, had one stall and sold mostly to the public and later to some small stores. They used a yellow Dodge pickup as their first truck.
IFPA names vice president of technical services
A former vice president of the National Food Processors Association and scientist with Campbell Soup Co. and Kraft Foods has joined the Alexandria, VA-based International Fresh-cut Produce Association as its new vice president for technical services.
PMA webinar addresses new dietary guidelines and MyPyramid
Bryan Silbermann, president of the Produce Marketing Association, is of the belief that with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's newly released Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid, fresh produce marketers have a wealth of federally funded tools to bolster fruit and vegetable sales. Because of this position and in light of the new information, PMA hosted a webinar June 28 to discuss these topics and tools.
Redner's buys quality produce in no-gimmicks retail plan
READING, PA -- Quietly tucked away in the scenic rolling farm country of southeastern Pennsylvania, independent retailer Redner's Warehouse Markets is doing just fine in this era of retail consolidation. Produce buyer Jim Hickey said that the firm was started in 1970 by Earl and Mary Redner. Today one of their sons, Dick, is company president. Another son, Gary, is executive vice president and heads distribution and buying. He buys meat and is the direct buyer of California produce. "I buy everything north, south, east and west of California," mused Mr. Hickey.
Rivera Vineyards settles with EEOC for about $1 million
Thermal, CA-based Rivera Vineyards Inc. has settled a lawsuit brought by the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September 2003 on behalf of a group of employees -- mostly Hispanic women -- who alleged they were sexually harassed, retaliated against for complaining and segregated into certain jobs based on gender.
New Zealand kiwifruit deal gives A.J. Trucco direct 12-month supply
The first shipment of New Zealand kiwifruit destined for A.J. Trucco at the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, NY, arrived in the United States on June 10. That shipment set a milestone for the company, which is an importer of specialty and conventional produce, nuts and dried fruit. A.J. Trucco will now be able to offer its customers an uninterrupted annual supply of kiwifruit.
Mile-high Kiwi Encounter held for Wild Oats managers and department leaders
DENVER -- Personnel representing Wild Oats stores and Colorado's Front Range gathered in north Denver June 14 for a colorful and educational preview of this year's New Zealand kiwifruit season. Emceed by Karen Brux, general manager of Zespri's North American operations, the two-hour Kiwi Encounter included presentations by New Zealand growers Brendan and Louise Fox as well as an electronic multi-media show. The Foxes are among more than 2,500 grower members of Zespri Group Ltd., which is represented in the export market by Zespri International Ltd.
Brooks Tropicals welcomes new director of marketing
Mary A. Ostlund has joined Brooks Tropicals Inc., based in Homestead, FL, as director of marketing. Heading Brooks' marketing efforts, Ms. Ostlund wants to highlight the industry-leading steps Brooks has taken to deliver its quality tropical fruits and vegetables. Previously in her career, she headed marketing efforts for AT&T, Hewlett Packard, Champion Solutions Group, Vision 3000 and others.
China's impact in California draws increased attention
A conversation about global economics cannot be had without China factoring heavily into the discussion. While much is made of China's high-tech and manufacturing prowess, the Asian powerhouse is coming up in the world in agriculture. The population of China tops 1.3 billion, and the country has a workforce of 700 million. Specialty crops are on the rise in China, a country rich in cheap labor.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: New school nutrition policy will create healthier environment for students
It was a seemingly rhetorical question: Do we want our school children to have nutritious foods or high-fat, high-sugar foods? The answer came in the form of the new school nutrition rules announced June 6 by New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard Codey. Those rules, representing the work of many in the Department of Agriculture, set the stage for healthier food choices in our schools.