RETAIL VIEW: Retailers protest skyrocketing transaction fees
In what has to be labeled pure irony, the Food Marketing Institute, on behalf of the nation?s food retailers, is protesting skyrocketing electronic transaction fees which it claims retailers have no control over nor any say in determining the size of that charge levied by banks and credit card companies.
Consumer needs and trends focus of PMA retail conference
Building on the consumer-focused programs it developed throughout 2004, the Produce Marketing Association is continuing that theme into 2005 starting with its Retail Produce Solutions Conference in Monterey, CA. The conference will be held June 2-4; previously announced dates were June 4-6.
Pride of New York launches redesigned web site
The Pride of New York program, the state?s branding program to promote and support agricultural products grown and food products processed within New York state, has launched a newly designed web site to better serve consumers, program members and anyone interested in New York state foods.
The Pride of New York Program?s redesigned web site, www.prideofny.com, now lists more than 1,200 members and offers easy-to-access, searchable information about members and their products. It also provides downloadable membership criteria and marketing information.
Albert's Organics promotes Zeller
Albert?s Organics announced that Mark Zeller has been promoted to sales manager of Albert?s Denver division. He recently joined the company as a project manager.
A 35-year resident of Denver, Mr. Zeller started his produce career as a clerk in 1976 and held a number of different produce positions, including produce and floral merchandiser and director of produce and floral for King Soopers, a Kroger company.
Proposed mango grade standards to be issued
It appears that there is close to universal agreement that inconsistent quality plagues mango exports to the United States and what is truly needed is some type of grade standard. Currently, there are no grade standards for mangos.
However, that situation appears to be headed toward resolution as a spokesman for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service?s Fruit & Vegetable Programs told The Produce News March 2 that a proposed grade standard for mangos would be published in the Federal Register within a matter of days.
Perchlorate a water issue, not an ag issue, says PMA
NEWARK, DE " With the U.S. government and the agriculture industry grappling with the issue of acceptable perchlorate levels in agricultural products, the produce industry is keeping an eye on developments as they pertain to the products produced by the nation?s fruit and vegetable growers.
Epic Roots gets into St. Patrick?s spirit
What looks a heck-of-a-lot like a four-leaf clover? Epic Roots m?che rosettes.
Traditional St. Patrick?s Day cooking is heavy on meat and potatoes. Epic Roots has developed a recipe that is among the first to offer a healthy greens option. The recipe for lucky m?che salad features Epic Roots? m?che, asparagus, blue cheese and red cabbage with light vinaigrette, giving the retailer the option to cross-merchandise three produce items.
Pears listed as top fiber source in new Dietary Guidelines
PORTLAND, OR " Eating just one juicy fresh pear with the skin is a good way to obtain a good portion of the recommended daily fiber requirements, according to the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
At about the size of a tennis ball, one medium-sized pear has nearly five grams of fiber or about 17 percent of the recommended daily intake for most adults.
SALINAS SCENE: Colorful Harvest rolls out Kid Crunch carrots
Monterey, CA-based Colorful Harvest LLC is rolling out several new carrot products, and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo & Seminars in Anaheim, CA, March 8 provided an opportunity for retailers to get a first look at all the new items.
The products drew excellent response from retailers, said Doug Ranno, partner and chief operating officer for Colorful Harvest. Huell Howser, host of the PBS television show "California?s Gold," took an interest as well, Mr. Ranno said. "California?s Gold? airs on all PBS affiliates in California.
Big turnout for FPFC Expo
ANAHEIM, CA " With an earlier-than-usual date for its annual event and the excitement generated by the fact it will be the focus of a future PBS television special, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo, held March 8 at the Disneyland Hotel, here, attracted approximately 1,000 industry professionals.