Ballantine introduces color maturity guide for fresh green seedless grapes
REEDLEY, CA -- Ballantine Produce Co. Inc., here, has introduced what it believes to be the industry's first color maturity guide for green seedless table grapes.
The company has put together a kit entitled The Fine Art of Grapes: The Original Green Seedless Table Grape Guide that includes descriptions and photos of green grapes at six different stages of maturity. The kit consists of a large wall poster, a desk reference booklet and a set of laminated color discs for use in the field, warehouse or store -- each depicting the six stages.
Morari set to debut baby eggplants
Morari Specialties Inc., which introduced baby cucumbers to the United States last year, is poised to launch another specialty produce item for consumers: baby eggplants. These new specialty items, grown and imported exclusively by Morari, will be available year-round in select retail stores at the end of July.
Fava beans have a life long after movie fame
"I ate his liver with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti," said Dr. Hannibal Lechter in the movie thriller "Silence of the Lambs. Bizarre as his gastronomic choices may have been, Dr. Lechter at least knew his beans.
Succession plan puts West Mathison at the helm of Stemilt
WENATCHEE, WA -- In a June 23 ceremony surrounded by family, friends, employees and colleagues, Tom Mathison, founder of apple packer-shipper Stemilt Growers Inc., here, announced that he will step down from the company presidency and hand the leadership reigns to his grandson, West Mathison.
West Mathison has served as Stemilt's executive vice president since 2003. He is the son of Jan and Kyle Mathison. Kyle is Tom Mathison's youngest son.
Chiquita completes acquisition of Fresh Express
Chiquita Brands International Inc., based in Cincinnati, announced June 28 that it has completed its acquisition of the Fresh Express unit of Richmond, VA-based Performance Food Group. The purchase price was $855 million.
The deal, which was first announced in February, was supposed to close in April. But citing legal matters involving the conduct of some of its employees, Chiquita announced April 25 that the acquisition would be delayed for up to two months.
CAFTA clears another hurdle
WASHINGTON -- The Senate Finance Committee has approved the controversial trade agreement that would eliminate tariffs on goods traded with Central American countries, clearing the way for a Senate floor vote in the next few weeks.
California Giant expands foodservice presence
California Giant has launched a national foodservice program for its "Just Strawberries" juice drink. This new initiative is the next step in the product launch based on the strong distribution and increased consumer demand at the retail level for "Just Strawberries.
SALINAS SCENE: Classic Salads teams up with Jaycees & Friends for cancer fight
Salinas, CA-based Classic Salads LLC teamed up with the Salinas Jaycees & Friends for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which was held June 17-18.
Classic Salads and Salinas Jaycees & Friends together made a sizable donation to the Salinas Relay for Life. Classic's donation helped with relay costs, such as apparel and booth supplies.
All proceeds from the Salinas Jaycees will be donated to The American Cancer Society's Salinas Relay for Life.
Redner's buys quality produce in no-gimmicks retail plan
READING, PA -- Quietly tucked away in the scenic rolling farm country of southeastern Pennsylvania, independent retailer Redner's Warehouse Markets is doing just fine in this era of retail consolidation. Produce buyer Jim Hickey said that the firm was started in 1970 by Earl and Mary Redner. Today one of their sons, Dick, is company president. Another son, Gary, is executive vice president and heads distribution and buying. He buys meat and is the direct buyer of California produce. "I buy everything north, south, east and west of California," mused Mr. Hickey.
Karatzis to 'net' customers with new U.S. manufacturing facility
Hoping to capitalize on the "tremendous potential" of the North American produce market, Karatzis Group S.A., a Greek manufacturer of packaging materials marketed under the brand "Hellasnet, with numerous applications in the produce industry, has begun to establish plans to set up a manufacturing facility in the United States.