John Karrat, founder of Karrat Bros., was 95
John G. Karrat, who founded Karrat Bros. Wholesale Fruit & Produce in the 1930s, died Dec. 18. He was 95. Born in Utica, NY, in 1909, Mr. Karrat began his career in the produce industry with a small truck and a small route, peddling produce at the age of 21. In the mid-1930s, he and his brother, Nayef, started Karrat Bros. As owner and buyer for the company, he spent much time on the old Washington Street Market in New York buying produce for his company in Utica.
John Vena Inc. adds warehouse operations manager
PHILADELPHIA " John Vena Inc. announced the addition of a new warehouse operations manager to oversee its recently purchased facility on Galloway Street. Joseph Aquilino has extensive experience in all aspects of produce operations management. ?Joe will develop this operation from the ground up," said John Vena, president of John Vena Inc. "We are confident that Joe has the expertise to pilot our new enterprise in the right direction."
Farmer's Best receives top honor
Agricola Tarriba in Culiacan, Sinaloa, the Mexican sister company of Farmers Best International in Nogales, AZ, was recently named Exporter of the Year by Mexican President Vincente Fox.
General Director Ivan Tarriba Haza accepted the award on behalf of Agricola Tarriba.
Mexico lifting tariff on Wash. apples
A 46.6 percent tariff imposed by the Mexican government on Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples from Washington will be lifted in late February, ending nearly 18 months of penalization against Northwest exporters for selling at prices below market.
According to Jim Archer, manager of Northwest Fruit Exporters in Yakima, WA, negotiators made public the announcement on Monday, Jan. 3 that the tariff, imposed in August 2002, was to be lifted.
Rainstorms disrupt planting and harvesting in Southern California and Arizona
A series of storms during the last week of December and the first week of January dumped abnormally high amounts of rainfall across Southern California and into Arizona, disrupting planting and harvesting operations in several strawberry- and vegetable-growing districts.
The widespread storm systems drenched most of California and brought much-needed snow-pack to the Sierra Mountains, which will help fill reservoirs used for irrigation.
Growers Express reorganizes sales department
SALINAS, CA " To better facilitate fulfilling customers? needs, Growers Express has reorganized its sales organization into two departments: Sales & Marketing and Product Management.
Seald Sweet International: Name change highlights new global strategy
?We are turning the page in preparation for the future," stated David Mixon, senior vice president of Seald Sweet International LLC. "The addition of the word "International? to our name is to project to the trade and to the public what is now factual: we are a fully integrated and global organization." Seald Sweet?s name change was announced in late December. Although the company was recognized as an international rather than a regional company in past years, recent major changes within the firm have given it a steadfast foothold in its global strategies.
"UglyRipe" tomato petition denied
The Florida Tomato Committee once again denied a petition that would have allowed interstate shipments of heirloom tomatoes that failed to meet the minimum quality standards established for Florida tomatoes.
Northern Plains Potato Growers Assn. to boost recognition; new marketing plan in the works
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, under the marketing direction of Ted Kreis, who started in August 2004 as marketing director, is looking to form a stronger brand identity. To attract consumers, the association has created two new store-level promotions to catch the consumer?s eye before the potato-buying decision has been made. The first of these two promotions is a shopping cart ad placed on the cart displaying the healthy potato message and specific Red River Valley branding.
L&M taps experienced veteran for position in Northeast
L&M Cos., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, announced that it has hired Arthur O?Leary as marketing manager for its Northeast operations. Mr. O'Leary will use his 25 years of experience with various industry associations to help build and enhance all the company?s produce segments in the New England and New York regions. In addition, he will be involved in advertisement planning, business programs and product development.