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Produce a key part of Chinese New Year celebrations

The beginning of the annual Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and so the specific day is different each year. In 2005, it falls on Feb. 9. The Chinese named each of the 12 years after an animal, based on a Buddha legend. This year is proclaimed the year of the rooster. The celebration may not be as widespread across North America as Jan. 1, but the Chinese consider it one of the more important days of the year. As the Asian population grows across the United States, produce suppliers are keeping pace with the equally growing demand for food products these groups use during

NWPB names director of industry affairs

William Winsemann III has joined the National Watermelon Promotion Board as director of industry affairs, where he will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the industry affairs department. Mr. Winsemann has 23 years of experience in business administration, logistics accounting and systems and data management, as well as in policy, trade, agriculture and government. He is a 16-year member of the produce industry, focusing primarily on Florida citrus and citrus products, working for companies such as eFruit International Inc. and Louis Dreyfus Citrus Inc. Most recently, he served as

Justice investigation clears mushroom group

A two-year U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division investigation into the Eastern Mushroom Marketing Cooperative in Wayne, PA, was completed in mid-December. EMMC Executive Director Charles Matthews said that his group has discontinued its challenged foray into the real estate business, but otherwise received a clean bill of health. Mr. Matthews said that the cooperative was investigated "from stem to stern? on an anti-trust allegation. Cooperative e-mails and records were analyzed; membership agreements and organization policies were scrutinized. ?What we agreed to in the consent

Sun World sees auction as positive step

The long road out of bankruptcy appeared near an end for Sun World International Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, with the announcement that the company was scheduled to go on the auction block Jan. 13 with at least three bidders showing strong interest in acquiring the company. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday, Jan. 12, that "an auction for the business, which generates $120 million in annual revenue, will be held Thursday [Jan. 13], subject to approval of a bankruptcy judge on Friday." According to the Sun-Times story, a Lake Forest, IL-based investment group, Black Diamond Capital

Rosemont Farms to enter Florida strawberry deal with acquisition of J.W. Hunt Co.

Rosemont Farms, a vegetable grower-shipper located in Boca Raton, FL, acquired the assets of J.W. Hunt in Plant City, FL, in a move that will give Rosemont a much-coveted presence in the Plant City area and will keep active one of the more respected brands in Florida produce " particularly strawberries. Included in the transaction are all assets of J.W. Hunt, including a 65,000-square-foot refrigerated building located in Plant City. The purchase agreement was signed in early December; terms were not disclosed. Andrew Schwartz, president of Rosemont Farms, said that the acquisition gives his

New Dietary Guidelines urge Americans to eat more produce

WASHINGTON " Consumers will need to nearly double their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables to meet the new Dietary Guidelines, which in turn will form the blueprint for a host of federal agriculture policies and the yet-to-be-released revised food pyramid. The federal government released the 2005 Dietary Guidelines at a Jan. 12 press conference, recommending that consumers eat five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, depending on their calorie level. The latest guidelines, issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services, are
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Bimi Baby Broccoli, a global sponsor of the World Food Photography Awards, will be featured at the Museum of Food and Drink’s upcoming exhibition Street Food City, opening to the public Dec. 6 at MOFAD’s DUMBO location at 55 Water St. The exhibition will be open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are available here.

Street Food City highlights the entrepreneurs, recipes and cultural traditions that shape New York’s diverse street food scene. As part of the exhibition, MOFAD will present a curated selection of images from the World Food Photography Awards, showcasing street food stories from around the world.

For the first time in New York, these award-winning photographs will be displayed throughout Empire Stores, where MOFAD is based, offering visitors a rare opportunity to view the works in person.

As a headline global sponsor of the World Food Photography Awards, Bimi’s participation reflects the brand’s support for culinary creativity and the documentation of food as art. The WFPA includes the James Beard Foundation photography category, which celebrates images of the people behind America’s food culture. Bimi also sponsored this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards, further strengthening its connection to leading culinary voices.

“Bimi Baby Broccoli is pleased to be represented alongside the World Food Photography Awards at this culturally important exhibition that celebrates the vibrant and diverse street food scene in New York City,” said Michelle Glover, brand development lead for Bimi. “It is meaningful to see food photography—and the farmers, vendors, cooks and storytellers behind the images—honored with this level of visibility.”

Bimi Baby Broccoli, known globally as the original baby broccoli, is a proprietary variety developed by Sakata Seed through a natural cross between Chinese kale and broccoli, a process that took 10 years to refine. With tender stems, a sweeter flavor and zero-waste usability from floret to tip, Bimi offers year-round availability along with versatility, premium quality and easy preparation.

Launched in the U.S. market in April, the brand has quickly gained momentum and is now sold at Acme, Costco Canada, Fresh Thyme, Safeway, Sam’s Club and Sprouts, reflecting strong demand for higher-quality produce.

Bimi’s culinary ambassador, James Beard–nominated chef Thai Dang and a newly appointed World Food Photography Awards judge, continues to showcase Bimi Baby Broccoli’s versatility across global cuisines and menu formats.

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