Clinton picks official first apple of 2005 New York harvest
NEWARK, NY U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), a longtime friend of the state's apple industry, picked the official first apple of the 2005 New York harvest Sept. 6 at The Apple Shed orchard, here, launching a harvest season expected to yield more than 25 million bushels.
Florida Tomato Exchange and Florida Tomato Growers Exchange meet at Joint Tomato Conference
NAPLES, FL The Florida Tomato Exchange and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange held their annual membership meetings Sept. 8, at which time representatives from both groups discussed several issues affecting the industry and elected their boards of directors. The meetings were part of the Joint Tomato Conference held Sept. 6-11, here, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Specialty produce category gains advocate in radio chef
Which came first, the "foodie" movement or the specialty produce category? The question is as debatable as the chicken-or-the egg query. It is certain, however, that newly introduced food products and people who want to enjoy them continue to complement one another, and each thrives by the mutual benefits the other provides.
Grallert joins Santa Sweets
Santa Sweets Inc., based in Plant City, FL, has hired Christopher Grallert as its senior vice president of marketing and sales.
"Our 'Santa Sweets' and UglyRipe brands have grown fantastically over the years," said Don Long, president of Santa Sweets. With new products on the frontier, we welcome the expertise Christopher Grallert will provide in helping structure Santa Sweets expected growth.
BC Hot House a finalist in BC Export Awards
BC Hot House Foods Inc. in Surrey, BC, a leader in the greenhouse-grown produce industry, is one of this year's finalists in the 2005 British Columbia Export Awards.
The BC Export Awards recognize companies in British Columbia that are leading the province in developing export markets and channels.
The awards are comprised of three finalists in seven categories: New Exporter, Advancing Technologies, Consumer Products, Manufactured Products, New Media & Entertainment, Primary Products & Resources and Professional & Services.
Investment firms in the hunt for Albertsons
According to widespread news reports, investment firms are lining up to bid for Albertsons. Knowledgeable sources are saying that both the real estate which the company owns and its geographic diversity are attractive characteristics for investment firms.
Strategic sweet onion marketing deal joins East with West
Bland Farms in Glennville, GA, and Sweet Clover Produce LLC in Quincy, WA, have entered into a marketing partnership that will allow the companies to offer a year-round supply of high-quality sweet onions.
In addition to Vidalia and Walla Walla sweet onions, sourcing will include onions from South America. All product will be certified for sweetness by an independent lab.
FTC celebrates 50 years and unveils new TV ad campaign
NAPLES, FL Celebrating its golden anniversary, the Florida Tomato Committee unveiled a series of four commercials that will mark the organization's first national television brand campaign for fresh Florida tomatoes during the 30th annual Joint Florida Tomato Conference held Sept. 6-11, here, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Immigration, COOL and farm bill top priorities for United
WASHINGTON Money is always tight for specialty crops, but attendees of United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference, here, heard news that the budget for agriculture got even tighter as Congress responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
More than 275 members of the produce industry representing more than 30 states signed up for the Sept. 13-16 conference, which provided an opportunity to hear from elected leaders and lobby congressional staff on hot-button issues.
State lets Ralph's Grocery off the hook on false ads
The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Sept. 13 that no further action would be taken against Ralph's Grocery Co. for violations involving the grocery chains alleged false advertising of Mexican-grown grapes as Californian-grown grapes.