California Women for Agriculture to honor Robert Bianco
The Coachella Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture will honor Robert Bianco, a partner in Coachella, CA-based Anthony Vineyards, as "Agriculturist of the Year" for his support of the fresh produce industry and California Women for Agriculture.
Mr. Bianco will receive the award at the organization's annual awards dinner June 23 at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, CA.
Fire damages Brandt cold storage facility
A fire at the Brandt Farms Inc. cold storage facility in Reedley, CA, on the morning of Wednesday, June 15, damaged the facility's main cold room and caused the loss of a considerable amount of inventory, according to Dave Maddux, a salesman with the company. No one was hurt, he said.
Michoacan's Hass avocados enjoying welcome into U.S. market
URUAPAN, MICHOACAN, MEXICO -- Hosted by Asociacion de Productores & Empacadores Exportadores de Aguacate de Michoacan A.C., or APEAM, a group of U.S.-based media professionals were brought on a tour of the Michoacan avocado-producing region, gaining insights into the area's production practices and learning about the premium fruit now being shipped to nearly all of the United States.
Plaintiffs continue lawsuit against Sheetz, Coronet
WASHINGTON Plaintiffs who say they became sick from eating tomatoes served at Sheetz convenience stores can sue Sheetz and the bankrupt Coronet Foods Inc., ruled a federal bankruptcy judge.
Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Board names new executive director
The Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Board in Harrisburg has appointed Karin Tananis as its new executive director.
She has a combined total of four years experience working for the board and has been serving as interim program director since March.
Florida citrus crop report a reminder of hurricane damage
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its June citrus crop estimate June 10, and other than future crop reports for bookkeeping purposes, the June estimate is considered the final report for the 2004-05 season.
While the Florida crop in all citrus commodities is down radically from normal years due to the four hurricanes that swept through the state last fall, the current report is only slightly different from the one issued by the USDA a month earlier.
CAFTA clears first hurdle in Congress
WASHINGTON The Senate Finance Committee has approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement, but the future of the accord is far from clear.
By an 11-9 vote, the Senate committee recommended that the White House send to Congress the treaty that would lower tariffs in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The United States signed the agreement in August, but Congress has yet to ratify it.
Hunts Point board members named
Two new officers were elected to the board of directors June 14 at an annual meeting of the New York Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association Inc. in New York City.
Myra Gordon, executive administrative director of the market, told The Produce News that Cary Rubin of Rubin Bros. Produce Corp. and Ira Nathel of Nathel & Nathel Inc. have joined the board as first vice presidents.
House votes to strip COOL for meat
WASHINGTON The House of Representatives voted June 8 to delay country-of-origin labeling for meat products another year, and now the debate moves to the Senate, which is scheduled to consider the U.S. Department of Agriculture spending bill later this month.
With Congress focused on delaying COOL for meat products, many are asking whether produce can be far behind.
The embattled labeling program is slated to go into effect for meat products and produce next fall, but opponents say it is too costly.
PMA connects with Mexican and Peruvian industry leaders through global outreach efforts
Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann and PMA Vice President of Global Business Development Nancy Tucker presented vital information on global trends June 9 to industry leaders in Mexico and Peru.
As an invited panelist, Mr. Silbermann addressed retailers, producers in the food and agriculture industry, federal and state officials, legislators, investigators, students and consultants related to the industry at the Mexican National Agriculture Council's Global Agrifood Forum 2005 New Opportunities & Challenges in Agrifood Markets in Mexico City.