The California Blueberry Commission continues its work to expand its presence in the global marketplace.

“We are constantly looking at export market opportunities,” Executive Director Alexander Ott said. “South Korea and Australia are good prospects.”

The commission was created by an act of the California State Legislature and approved by a grower-shipper referendum. The commission is funded through grower assessment and reauthorized every five years. The next referendum will take place in 2015.

Collotti & Sons Inc. occupies units I-7 and I-8 at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. The company took occupancy at the when the market opened in June 2011.

Jack Collotti, company president, told The Produce News that his two sons, John age 27, and Brian, age 25, now work full time at the company and they are continually taking on increasingly more responsibilities.

Mr. Collotti is the second generation, and he works with his brothers, Vince and Chris Collotti. The third generation is represented by sons of the three brothers.

Curry & Co., headquartered in Brooks, OR, has entered its seventh year in the California blueberry deal. The company will build upon its prior successes with increased volume and good quality during 2013.

The sales team at Crown Jewels Produce Co. in Fresno, CA, is excited about future prospects for California blueberry production. “Crown Jewels Produce is pursuing the expansion of our locally grown California blueberries, some of the most desirable in the market,” Managing Member Atomic Torosian told The Produce News.

T.H. Heckel, head field representative for Crown Jewels Produce Co., examines the Star blueberry variety grown in the foothills north of the Fresno District. (Photo courtesy of Crown Jewels Produce Co.)

“Our state-of-the-art banana ripening rooms here at the new Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market employ the latest technology,” said Mark Levin, chief executive officer of M. Levin & Co. Inc. “They are getting a real workout because as fast as we fill them, they’re emptied again.”

More than a wholesale market that services retailers, foodservice operators and other industry categories, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market is a true food hub, and it invites the public to come to the market to make purchases.

“It is such an inviting place for people to visit,” Fran Carfagno, director of sales for T.M. Kovacevich International told The Produce News. “It’s nice to see consumers coming in to buy a case of product.”