Keynote speakers are announced for IFPA exposition
The International Fresh-cut Produce Association has announced the addition of two nationally recognized business motivators " a best-selling author and a comedic entertainer " to headline the ExecTrends sessions at its upcoming Fresh-Cut Expo 2005, set for April 14-16 in Phoenix.
Fair Trade bananas from Colombia enter U.S. market
OAKLAND, CA " Bananas, the most popular produce item in the United States, have a new player on the scene: Fair Trade-certified bananas from Uniban, a Colombia-based grower association.
The bananas are coming in through Turbana Corp., Uniban?s U.S. marketing arm based in Coral Gables, FL. The first shipments came in to the United States the week of Jan. 10.
Uniban attained Fair Trade certification through TransFair USA, a non-profit organization based here. TransFair is the only independent third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
D.J. Forry sales manager leaves to start new marketing company
Cary Crum, sales manager at D.J. Forry Co. in Reedley, CA, has announced that he is leaving Forry to start his own marketing company, Green Tree International Inc., in partnership with John Rast, owner of Rast Produce Co. Inc. in Visalia, CA.
The new company will be located in Visalia and will focus initially on developing marketing contracts with table grape growers in California and on building a year-round table grape program that includes imported product from Mexico, Chile and possibly Peru, Mr. Crum said.
NewStar promotes value-added broccoli
SALINAS, CA " NewStar Fresh Foods LLC, based here, began shipping two-crown broccoli the week of Jan. 10.
The company introduced the two-crown broccoli at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit 2004 in Anaheim, CA, in October. The rollout follows the company?s introduction of a three-crown broccoli in August.
California Avocado Commission kicks off pre-Super Bowl campaign
?We are going to kick off our consumer advertising campaign? for California avocados "right before Super Bowl," Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, told The Produce News Jan. 6.
Consumption of avocados during Super Bowl weekend is traditionally heavy, and since it comes just about the time that the new-crop California Hass harvest gets going in earnest, it is a good time to begin building interest in the new crop.
PSJ expansion well under way
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA " Pride of San Juan, a leader in the gourmet lettuce, herb and edible flower businesses, is well along the path of expanding its headquarters, here.
PSJ is expanding its headquarters from 55,000 square feet to 170,000 square feet. Expansion of its Yuma, AZ, facility from 45,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet was completed Nov. 20.
?We needed to go along with the growth we?ve had," said Joe Feldman, vice president of sales and marketing. "The bar keeps being raised for food safety and quality."
Monsanto to acquire Seminis
ST. LOUIS -- Monsanto Co. announced that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Seminis Inc. for $1.4 billion in cash and assumed debt, plus a performance-based payment of up to $125 million payable by the end of fiscal year 2007.
Broccoli plantings reflect consumer demand
A steady consumer demand for broccoli has led growers to offer the commodity in a number of forms and packages.
Maggie Bezart, vice president of marketing for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, said that the company has a "conservative increase? in broccoli acreage in Coachella, CA, this winter.
?There?s a higher demand on crowns," Ms. Bezart said. As a result, Ocean Mist is striving to increase its yields. More of Ocean Mist?s size 18 packs are going to shrink wrap to meet consumer demand, she said.
Blizzard slows northeastern produce trade
A major snowstorm that hit the Northeast Jan. 22-23 caused some disruption in the produce trade in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, the latter being particularly affected as up to three feet of snow fell in areas north and east of the city.
Veneman named to lead UNICEF
WASHINGTON " U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has been named to take over as head of the United Nations Children?s Fund, starting May 1.
?Her qualifications are outstanding," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said of Secretary Veneman, who has headed USDA since 2001.
The outgoing secretary will be in charge of more than 7,000 people spanning 157 countries who respond to the needs of children, ranging from running massive child immunization campaigns to mobilizing aid in disasters such as last month?s devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.