Ken Green and A&P part ways
Continuing its restructuring and downsizing, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., based in Montvale, NJ, ended its employment relationship with Ken Green, vice president of produce merchandising, as well as a number of other people at that level, on Monday, Sept. 26.
FLORAL FOCUS: Retreats and advances
The "retreat" (my name for it) at the Pro Institute held Sept. 18-21 in Volcano, CA, was both peaceful and exhilarating.
There were no TVs, no telephones, no radios and no newspapers at the 100-year-old St. George Hotel. No one had cell phone recepti on either except for magical William from Passion Flowers, who somehow could call Colombia. I was not jealous. I loved the serenity of this historic place -- the buildings of the town have been maintained or restored to their original 19th century gl ory and gorgeous gardens abound.
Dole Fresh vegetables announces voluntary recall of Dole packaged salads
SALINAS, CA -- Dole Fresh Vegetables, a division of Dole Food Co. Inc., announced that it is cooperating with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Minnesota and California departments of health regarding an investigation of an outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7, between Sept. 13, and Sept. 19, in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota.
WGA and FFVA announce strategic partnership
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association based in Maitland and Western Growers Association in Irvine, CA, announced Sept. 28 that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will increase cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of some member services between their organizations.
MyPyramid for Kids welcomed by produce industry
WASHINGTON -- The produce industry hailed the new food pyramid's children-only version as a great opportunity for promoting children's health, but warned against complacency in selling a healthy diet to kids.
"With most children eating less than half the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy diet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's release of MyPyramid for Kids is a positive step toward promoting children's health and fighting childhood obesity," said Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
Goodlatte introduces H-2A reform bill
WASHINGTON -- A new bill that would reform the ailing H-2A agricultural worker program was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) the week of Sept. 19.
"We need a reform of the H-2A program that promotes border security by allowing guest workers to come and go legally -- a reform that will streamline the costly and time-consuming process and establish a fair wage standard. This legislation accomplishes that," said Rep. Goodlatte.
Mushroom Council resumes promotions
The Mushroom Council in Dublin, CA, will resume national promotions on Jan. 1, 2006. "We're back in business," Jim Angelucci, chairman of the Mushroom Council, said Sept. 23.
The council received word Sept. 9 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it may resume promotional activities at the dawn of next year. The Mushroom Council lost the right to promote on June 25, 2001 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory assessments under the USDA's program for promotional activities were unconstitutional.
Oregon potato acreage at 35,000 in 2005, down 5 percent from last season
PORTLAND, OR Oregon's potato growers are in step with the national trend to reduce total acreage, and as such this seasons planted acreage total stands at 35,000 compared to 37,000 in 2004.
In September as harvest was commencing in some parts and finishing in other areas of the state, temperatures were cooler than normal, with most of the eastern and central regions seeing lows in the 20s and 30s.
Precipitation was varied, at some stations as low as none, and Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service noted Sept. 12, "For the most part, conditions remain dry."
Brazilian mangos start later than last year; volume ramping up
The mango deal in Brazil began several weeks later than last year, with some shippers saying that the harvest started the third week of August and others saying that it started nearer the end of the month.
Volume was very light, and several shippers said that heavy volumes likely wouldn't be reached until the end of September or early October.
Shippers generally noted that early quality out of Brazil was very good, but cool weather in Brazil had kept the Brix count down.
SALINAS SCENE: Student seeks companies for RFID, bar code study
Ryan Panos, an industrial engineering major at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, is seeking companies to volunteer for research he will conduct on the use and effect of bar code and RFID systems in the produce supply chain.
Though not in the film, Mr. Panos was on hand Sept. 17 at Salinas-based NewStar Fresh Foods for shooting of the Produce Marketing Association's film on RFID.