Jeff Ritts joins Domex
Jeff Ritts has joined Domex Inc. in Yakima, WA, as an organic specialist.
The recent agreement between Domex and Blue Bird Inc. to market Blue Bird's organic product lines created the need for a dedicated organic account representative.
"Jeff brings a unique array of talents to our Domex team," company President Robert Kershaw said in a statement. His passion for the industry is clearly evident and his experience in organic and conventional fruit is a perfect fit for our current and future organic goals.
Hurricane Katrina devastates Gulfport banana facilities
"I'm really concerned about some people down there. Our biggest concern right now is the people who live down there," Marta Maitles, director of communications for Dole Fresh Fruit Co. in Westlake Village, CA, told The Produce News Aug. 30.
Ms. Maitles was speaking of Gulfport, MS, where Dole maintains a large facility to receive fruit imported from Latin America. Gulfport took the devastating brunt of the force of Hurricane Katrina.
National news reports have indicated rising fatality numbers in Mississippi in the hurricanes wake.
Louisiana sweet potatoes appear to have escaped damage from Katrina
Hurricane Katrina's course on Aug. 29 devastated New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama, but the Louisiana sweet potato crop appears unscathed by the ferocious weather event.
Sweet potato shipper Matthew Garber of Garber Farms in Iota, LA, which started shipping new-crop sweet potatoes in mid-August, said Aug. 30 that "the most rain any Louisiana sweet potato field caught was one-and-a-quarter inches. It was pretty much not a big issue [for the Louisiana sweet potato industry]. The crop is fine."
Four Seasons to close Texas division
Four Seasons Produce Inc. in Ephrata, PA, announced Aug. 26 that it will close its Donna, TX-based division, Four Seasons Trading Co. LP, by Nov. 1.
In a statement, Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of parent company Four Seasons Produce Inc., called it "strictly a business decision" based on Four Seasons Trading Co. LP's ineffective performance. He said that the move will allow the company to focus on its vibrant market in the mid-Atlantic region.
Cargo Transportation Services employee finds calling in produce
Elliott Buchanan's bags were all packed and loaded in his car. He was on his way to start his career as a reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News, but a funny thing happened on the way to the City of Angels. He made a telephone call to a friend that would change his entire life.
IGA appoints new senior director of branding and business development
IGA in Chicago has announced that James J. Walz has been named senior director of branding and business development.
Mr. Walz, who begins his appointment immediately, will report directly to IGA Vice President and U.S. Chief Growth Officer Doug Fritsch.
Produce industry to speak in one voice in farm bill debate
WASHINGTON Pressing trade issues and budget cuts will influence the 2007 farm bill, but that is not enough to dissuade fruit and vegetable businesses that are looking for a bigger slice of the pie this time around.
Korean table grapes enter the U.S. market for first time in Los Angeles
For the first time ever, fresh table grapes grown in South Korea have apparently entered the U.S. marketplace.
On Friday, Aug. 19, the Korean Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry announced that 330 kilograms of the Campbell Early grape variety, produced in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, passed quarantine inspection earlier in the week and were shipped via air to Los Angeles. The JoongAng Daily Korean newspaper reported that the grapes arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, Aug. 18.
HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE: Storm severely damages Chiquita's operations at Gulfport
CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its port facilities at Gulfport, MS, were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Gulfport is one of five U.S. ports the company uses to import bananas and other fresh produce.
Healthy gourmet snacks go mass market: Sahale Snacks hit shelves
Sahale Snacks, a Seattle-based producer of all natural, gourmet snack products, is taking a major step forward in realizing its goal of helping American consumers snack better.
The company has announced that its innovative line of nut blends will be sold at more than 140 SuperTarget stores in the United States. Sahale Snacks' new distribution channel reflects the growing trend of consumers demanding natural, healthy gourmet snack alternatives.