Second 'Diamond of Fruit' promotion staged by Sage Fruit Co.
For the second consecutive year, Sage Fruit Co. has used the catchy "Diamond of Fruit" tag for Northwest cherries for a diamond giveaway in the greater Kansas City area.
Sage, with growing operations in Washington state and sales and marketing offices strategically positioned across the country, is headed by Chuck Sinks, president, who was on hand July 30 for the culmination of the promotion, which was held at 21 Kansas City-area Price Chopper stores.
W. Newell & Co. taps industry veterans to lead sales team
W. Newell & Co. announced Aug. 1 that Keith Frosceno has joined the company as regional vice president of sales, and Charlie Nealis as area sales director. Both Messrs. Frosceno and Nealis have nearly 20 years' experience in the produce industry.
New Zealand Jazz promotions set the stage for Washington season
This summer, ENZA has tuned up the apple category with the "Pure Apple Groove" of Jazz.
The popular Royal Gala/Braeburn cross, now grown in New Zealand and in Washington, is appearing at jazz festivals, concerts and in retail produce departments throughout the United States and Canada. The Oppenheimer Group, ENZA's North American marketing arm, has even brought jazz musicians into stores to serenade shoppers as they sample the tangy-sweet apple.
Apple industry hails narrowly approved CAFTA
WASHINGTON The U.S. apple industry said that President Bush signed the landmark Central America Free Trade Agreement just in time to create a duty-free market for a bumper crop of fall-harvested apples.
The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives matched every prediction that it would be a close one, passing 217-215 in the early hours of July 28. The Senate passed it last month by a 54-45 margin.
In latest sign that low-carb trend is fading, Atkins files for bankruptcy protection
Atkins Nutritionals Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in New York July 31 following one of the stronger and longer consumer-driven diet trends ever to surface in the United States.
In its filing, the company listed assets of $301 million and liabilities of $325 million. Atkins stated that it owes UBS Securities LLC and other lenders roughly $301 million under a 2003 loan.
Washington potato growers remain optimistic
MOSES LAKE, WA -- From the southeastern corner to the Skagit Valley, farmland planted in fresh-market and process potatoes has decreased by 5,000 acres, and most members of the Washington potato industry are looking at the coming season with renewed optimism.
New York Apple Association announces fall promotion plans
In September, the New York Apple Association will roll out a consumer advertising and public relations campaign to promote the 2005 crop.
"We're going to have another busy fall promoting apples with advertising and public relations," said Jim Allen, president of the NYAA, who is coordinating the campaign.
An extensive advertising program will promote apples on television, radio and through high-end consumer magazines. Heavy advertising over the past two years has been credited with helping drive up consumer demand for apples and apple products.
Nuchief to market for Congdon Orchards
Nuchief Sales Inc. in Wenatchee, WA, announced that it will handle marketing for Congdon Orchards Inc. in Yakima, WA, effective Aug. 1.
With the addition of Congdon, Nuchief will represent over 2.5 million cartons of apples, pears, cherries and asparagus. Currently, Nuchief markets for Washington firms Crane & Crane in Brewster, Smith & Nelson in Tonasket and Andrus & Roberts in Sunnyside. As part of the Congdon program, Nuchief will take on the sales for Lloyd Garretson Co., which Congdon has marketed the last three seasons.
Diet-friendly avocado season underway
For an avocado to meet the increasing demands of health conscious consumers, it's got to have less fat and fewer calories. Its got to be SlimCado, the naturally light alternative to the leading Californian variety.
The season is underway for this popular Florida avocado. Brooks Tropicals Inc. has just started picking SlimCados from its groves in south Florida, with shipments carrying through next February. Last season the industry total for all Florida avocados was over 1 million bushels, which was 40 percent higher than the 2003 season.
Pride of San Juan celebrates facility upgrades
San Juan Bautista, CA-based Pride of San Juan has completed additions to its headquarters that add upwards of 112,000 square feet, bringing the total facility size to 178,000 square feet.
The move consolidates San Juan Bautista-area operations under one roof; storage of bell peppers and dry vegetables had been done in nearby Hollister, and a warehouse on the PSJ ranch had been used prior to the consolidation. About 100,000 square feet of additional space were used for cooler and production operations.