California 2009 new potato acreage is estimated at 8,375 acres in Kern County, a barely noticeable increase from last year's 8,362 acres. The acreage is an improvement, however, since the 2008 acreage numbers showed a nearly 10 percent decline compared with 2007, according to published data from the Kern County Department of Agriculture. Kern Countys acreage numbers stood at 9,268 acres in 2007. The figures exclude the category the countys department of ag has for "chippers" or potato chips, a category that is not used in the calculations by the Kern Produce Shippers Association. Also, one

In an effort to upgrade the quality of its product, River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, will outsource its harvesting operations using Valley Harvesting & Packing Inc. during the Salinas vegetable season. Kim St. George, senior marketing manager for River Ranch, which is a firm that specializes in producing value-added products mostly for private labels, told The Produce News that the company is continually trying to make improvements to all aspects of its operation. "This is a great opportunity to enhance the quality of our pack." She added that Valley Harvesting, which is used by

LAS VEGAS -- There is no time like the present to seize the opportunity to provide fresh produce to children in the United States, said members of a United Fresh 2009 workshop panel discussion titled "Turning Policy Victories into Produce Sales -- From WIC to Schools." On the workshop panel were Ashley Rawl, director of sales and marketing for Pelion, SC-based Walter P. Rawl & Sons Inc.; Donnell Barton, director of the office of child nutrition and school health for the state of Nevada's department of education; and Joan Munckton, director of foodservice for Washoe County School District in

Amidst a takeover effort by its bank creditors and much uncertainty exhibited by both suppliers and employees, Salyer American Fresh Foods Inc. President Eric Schwartz resigned the last week of April, with the word hitting the street Tuesday, May 5. As the week progressed, there were many rumors that the Salinas, CA-based firm would have to file for bankruptcy protection or at the very least be in receivership with a court-appointed independent party running the operation. On late Wednesday afternoon, May 6, Donald Putterman, a San Francisco attorney who represents Salyer American, told The

ARLINGTON, VA -- The Food Marketing Institute announced May 5 that Richard N. Jurgens, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Hy-Vee Inc., was elected chairman of the FMI board of directors. He has served on FMI's board since 2005 and on the executive committee since 2007. He was FMI's chairman of the member services committee from 2007 to 2009. Mr. Jurgens has spent his entire career with Hy-Vee, starting as a part-time carryout clerk and moving up the ranks to store manager, district manager, regional manager, senior vice president and executive vice president before assuming his

The 84th Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show is aptly themed "Produce: Powered by People." Melanie Richer, senior manager of marketing and communications, said that CPMA is anticipating record- breaking crowds at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The convention begins May 6 with registration and the annual general meeting, and concludes the evening of May 8 with the annual banquet reception and dinner. "We are hoping to have over 4,000 participants," Ms. Richer told The Produce News. The CPMA web site indicates, "Attendees include all major stakeholders in the