Liberty Fruit celebrates 40 years
KANSAS CITY, KS -- Liberty Fruit Co. Inc., here, celebrated its 40th year in business Saturday, June 18, with a wonderful party at its facility.
The name "Liberty" was originated by Issie and Lee Caviar, who had a weekend fruit stand on Highway 50 in the 1950s and '60s. In 1965, Liberty Fruit Co. was founded and opened at the City Market in Kansas City, MO. Mr. Caviar and his wife, Mary, had one stall and sold mostly to the public and later to some small stores. They used a yellow Dodge pickup as their first truck.
IFPA names vice president of technical services
A former vice president of the National Food Processors Association and scientist with Campbell Soup Co. and Kraft Foods has joined the Alexandria, VA-based International Fresh-cut Produce Association as its new vice president for technical services.
PMA webinar addresses new dietary guidelines and MyPyramid
Bryan Silbermann, president of the Produce Marketing Association, is of the belief that with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's newly released Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid, fresh produce marketers have a wealth of federally funded tools to bolster fruit and vegetable sales. Because of this position and in light of the new information, PMA hosted a webinar June 28 to discuss these topics and tools.
Rivera Vineyards settles with EEOC for about $1 million
Thermal, CA-based Rivera Vineyards Inc. has settled a lawsuit brought by the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September 2003 on behalf of a group of employees -- mostly Hispanic women -- who alleged they were sexually harassed, retaliated against for complaining and segregated into certain jobs based on gender.
New Zealand kiwifruit deal gives A.J. Trucco direct 12-month supply
The first shipment of New Zealand kiwifruit destined for A.J. Trucco at the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, NY, arrived in the United States on June 10. That shipment set a milestone for the company, which is an importer of specialty and conventional produce, nuts and dried fruit. A.J. Trucco will now be able to offer its customers an uninterrupted annual supply of kiwifruit.
Michigan agriculture director announces resignation
Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, announced June 20 that he will step down from the post which he has held for nine years on July 29. The Michigan Commission of Agriculture in October 1996 appointed Mr. Wyant to the position. He has accepted a position as president and chief operating officer of the Edward Lowe Foundation, a private operating foundation that assists entrepreneurs. The foundation is located on 2,500 acres of rural farmland in Cassopolis, MI.
Longtime salesman William P. Donnelly Sr. has died
William P. Donnelly Sr., a longtime produce salesman in Nogales, AZ, died June 3 at his home in Rio Rico, AZ, after losing a battle with skin cancer. He was 59 years old. Born in the Bronx, NY, Mr. Donnelly got his start in the produce industry quite by chance. He moved his family from New Jersey to Tucson, AZ, in 1977 with the hopes that the change in climate would help to alleviate one of his four son's health problems. After arriving in Tucson, Mr. Donnelly opened a liquor store and worked with computers on the side, said his son William P. Donnelly Jr.
Recent retail display contest a huge success for grape commission
The California Table Grape Commission has, over the years, had "tremendous success with display contests," according to Jim Howard, the commission's communications director. But a display contest currently running during the month of June has proven to be one of the more successful ever, he said. "We have a record number of retailers who have expressed interest in the contest and who have received point-of-sale materials from the commission for use in the contest, Mr. Howard said.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: New school nutrition policy will create healthier environment for students
It was a seemingly rhetorical question: Do we want our school children to have nutritious foods or high-fat, high-sugar foods? The answer came in the form of the new school nutrition rules announced June 6 by New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard Codey. Those rules, representing the work of many in the Department of Agriculture, set the stage for healthier food choices in our schools.
Mile-high Kiwi Encounter held for Wild Oats managers and department leaders
DENVER -- Personnel representing Wild Oats stores and Colorado's Front Range gathered in north Denver June 14 for a colorful and educational preview of this year's New Zealand kiwifruit season. Emceed by Karen Brux, general manager of Zespri's North American operations, the two-hour Kiwi Encounter included presentations by New Zealand growers Brendan and Louise Fox as well as an electronic multi-media show. The Foxes are among more than 2,500 grower members of Zespri Group Ltd., which is represented in the export market by Zespri International Ltd.