New pallet regulations will add cost, maybe confusion
As of Sept. 16, all wood packaging materials, including pallets, crates and boxes, must be treated for pests before entering or leaving the United States.
The required heat or fumigation treatment is expected to add about $1 to the cost of a pallet, and there is some question as to whether the produce industry will be ready to implement this new regulation handed down by the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.
Family Tree Farms expands marketing team with hiring of Dovey Plain
Family Tree Farms in Reedley, CA, announced May 17 the addition of Dovey Plain to the company's marketing department. Ms. Plain, who joins Don Goforth and Melissa Yerxa in the Family Tree Farms marketing department, has 18 years of experience in the stone fruit industry and was most recently domestic promotions manager at the California Tree Fruit Agreement.
Calavo adds Browne as VP of fresh operations
Michael Browne, formerly president and CEO of Fresh Directions International in Ventura, CA, has been named vice president of fresh operations at Calavo Growers Inc. in Santa Paula, CA. He replaces Al Thorne, who is retiring.
Mr. Browne was a founding partner of Fresh Directions, which was formed in 1997, and he remained the company's top executive until his departure earlier this year. Previously he had been president and CEO of Index Fresh, an avocado packing, importing and marketing company in Bloomington, CA.
Triple M Farms continues expansion mode
When Triple M Farms was founded in 1999, it made a name for itself for being one of the few companies in Arkansas to bypass the tomato auction in favor of direct marketing of its product. The move has apparently paid off, as the company has been on a growth trend since that time.
This year is no different, as Wendell Moffatt and James Meeks, principals in the company, recently completed a third round of expansion of its facility with the addition of packinglines for Roma tomatoes and increased cooler space.
Jim Hunt remembered for his dedication to the produce industry
Jim Hunt Sr., owner of the New York produce distribution house D.M. Rothman Co. Inc., died May 9 at age 58. His son, James Hunt Jr., who works in the family business, said that his father had a stroke May 7 and died two days later. The death "was not an absolute surprise," said the son, because his father had suffered a slight stroke in 1999.
Sens. McCain and Kennedy introduce new immigration bill
WASHINGTON -- A new, bipartisan immigration reform bill just introduced to overhaul the guestworker program will elevate the level of debate in Congress, but it is still unclear whether the foreign labor-dependent farmers will get any relief.
With much fanfare, Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), joined by other lawmakers, introduced a comprehensive bill on May 12.
Record numbers for CPMA's first springtime convention
TORONTO -- Numbers alone seldom tell the whole story of any event, but the numbers regarding the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 80th annual convention and trade show paint a rosy picture indeed.
Attendance at the convention, held here May 11-14, reached a record 3,450 from 17 different countries, according to the association. Last year about 3,300 people attended the show Feb. 4-7 in Calgary, AB. Formerly held in the dead of winter, the Toronto convention marked the first time CPMA held its annual gathering in the spring.
Neer named VP of sales and marketing at Rosemont Farms
Rosemont Farms Corp., based in Boca Raton, FL, has hired Hurley Neer to take on the role of vice president of sales and marketing.
Most recently Mr. Neer was the director of eastern vegetable sales at L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, where he held various management positions over the past eight years.
Mr. Neer began his produce career 15 years ago with Del Monte Fresh Produce in Coral Gables, FL, where he moved through the ranks of the organization to become the director of planning and operations for North America.
Ecuador planning to institute system to limit banana exports
Ecuador, the world's largest producer and exporter of bananas, is planning to institute a new commission that will legally regulate banana exports in an effort to stabilize the global banana market.
A report detailing this effort appeared in Reefer Trends, an independent news and information service for the global reefer shipping business.
Mexico's agriculture secretary will resign to pursue gubernatorial post
Javier Usabiaga, who has served as secretary of agriculture for Mexico under President Vicente Fox since 2000, announced that he will resign his position in order to embark on a campaign for governor of the Mexican state of Guanajuato, the
Reforma in Mexico City reported May 8.
In the Reforma article, Mr. Usabiaga cited moral reasons for his decision to not hold the secretary of agriculture position while simultaneously embarking on his gubernatorial campaign.