Variety of factors combine for successful second annual SPC conference and expo
TAMPA, FL " There were many aspects to the Southeast Produce Council?s second annual Retail & Foodservice Conference and Expo that contributed to the event?s success, including opening and closing parties, educational field tours, a golf tournament, a dynamic keynote address and, of course, a trade show.
On the work side of the ledger, the combination of keynote address, industry speakers and retailer panel discussion was certainly one highlight of the entire event, held here March 10-12.
McDonald?s and PBH step up healthy eating partnership
WASHINGTON " With McDonald?s planning to unveil a new produce item on its menu in May, the fast-food giant announced that it would join the Produce for Better Health Foundation?s board of trustees and step up its educational campaign about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.
?We are very pleased to have McDonald?s join the foundation?s board of trustees," said Elizabeth Pivonka, president of PBH. As a member of the board of trustees, it means that the restaurant chain is supportive of the goals of the foundation and will provide guidance on policies.
WTO sides with U.S. producers in EU food name case
WASHINGTON " In a key victory for U.S. producers, the World Trade Organization has ruled that the European Union can no longer keep out U.S. brand name products, such as Florida oranges or Idaho potatoes.
Texas onion season gets underway
The first Texas onions hit the market the week of March 14-18, but experts aren?t predicting promotional volume until early April.
Acreage is up a bit this year, but the rainy growing season has reduced the size of the onions themselves, which should offset the increased acreage and result in a crop very similar in volume to 2004. Acreage in the 35 counties covered by the federal marketing order for Texas onions has been listed at 15,433 for 2005 " an increase of about 7 percent from last year?s figure of 14,436 acres.
PMA president urges the industry to focus on consumers
SALINAS, CA " Bryan Silbermann, president of the Produce Marketing Association, told an audience made up primarily of members of the Salinas Valley produce industry on March 11 that they need to better understand that consumers are driving the marketplace.
What isn?t new, Mr. Silbermann said, is that buyers expect there to be quality. But it's the consumer who defines quality.
?The future won?t be "field to stomach," " Mr. Silbermann said. "It must be "stomach to field." "
California carrot harvest should be similar to last two years
California fresh-market carrot production came in at 20 million cwt. for each of the last two years, and it is projected to stay at the same level for 2005, according to Jerry Munson of the California Fresh Carrot Advisory Board in Dinuba, CA. Over the several years prior, the market for fresh carrots had "steadily increased " mostly due to the expanding baby cut-carrot market," according to a Carrot Advisory Board fact sheet.
Sun Pacific sales representative catches the produce wave
Tommy Hays is still getting his feet wet in the produce industry, but that hasn?t stopped him from diving right in. Mr. Hays, 24, is a member of the sales team at Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative, a grower, packer and shipper of clementines, Navel and Valencia oranges, Minneolas, kiwifruit, Roma tomatoes and table grapes, headquartered in Bakersfield, CA. He works in the main sales office in Los Angeles.
South African mandarin variety set to fill fall marketing window
Two U.S. produce importers recently received South African approval to market a premiere fresh mandarin variety, Afourer.
The importers, Fisher Capespan USA LLC in Gloucester City, NJ, and Seald Sweet LLC in Vero Beach, FL, were appointed by CitroGold (Pty) Ltd. to handle the variety. CitroGold is a South African citrus variety management company based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
United?s food safety and security conference to feature industry and government experts
The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association will offer an expert-led, comprehensive food-safety and security conference as part of the 2005 United Produce Show at FMI, April 30-May 3 in Chicago.
Taking a detailed look at the most important food-safety and security issues affecting the produce industry, the daylong conference will offer expert advice on foodservice and retail expectations; insider analyses of the latest government regulations; and new technologies to boost safety and protect the supply chain.
Task force working to harmonize North American trade
In an increasingly complex produce world, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, based in Ottawa, is leading a highly organized effort to simplify produce trade in North America.
In April 2004, CPMA created the North American Trade Task Force, which met in Ottawa Feb. 24. CPMA President Danny Dempster said that an all-star list of industry leaders is actively engaged in the group.