Ocean Mist boosts marketing and sales team
Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms has hired Kori Tuggle as its marketing manager, effective June 1. She comes to Ocean Mist from Salinas, CA-based Church Bros. LLC, where she was director of marketing and business development. Prior to that, she held the same title at Santa Maria-based Fresh Kist Produce LLC.
Oppenheimer's ENZA apples hit high note with jazz festival promotions
As demand for New Zealand apples grows, product shipped from that country by leading pipfruit exporter ENZA is finding good reception through retail partners of BC-based The Oppenheimer Group.
Among the favored varieties is the Jazz, a relative newcomer that is being promoted in an innovative campaign that is looking to link up with jazz festivals across the United States and Canada.
Ready Pac to continue consolidation with closure of three plants
Irwindale, CA-based Ready Pac Produce Inc. has further consolidated its processing operations by announcing May 13 the closure of its processing facilities in Boisbriand, Canada, Salinas, CA, and Yuma, AZ.
The company is planning to cease production at Boisbriand in late summer of this year. The Salinas and Yuma plants have been seasonal operations with Salinas in production for spring and summer crops and Yuma for the winter crop. Operations in Salinas will close at the end of 2005. Yuma operations already ended with this past winter's crop.
Mango board members named
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on May 17 appointed 18 members to serve on the newly established National Mango Board.
Appointed to fill the U.S. producer positions are Vernancio C. Marti of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a four-year term of office; and Ingrid Rivas of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a three-year term. Appointed to fill the first handler position was Anthony R. Godinez of McAllen, TX, for a four-year term.
Pennsylvania retailer in test program of merchandising methods for organics
LANGHORNE, PA -- Redner's Warehouse Markets, here, is in a test program to see if organic produce sales increase if they are merchandised in a separate section in the produce department.
In cooperation with Earthbound Farm in San Juan Bautista, CA, Redner's set up a large organic display in its store in Langhorne, an upscale town north of Philadelphia on the Delaware River.
Gary O'Brien, who heads the produce merchandising program for Redner's, said of the new display, "A lot of stores integrate [organics] like commodities. Here we create a destination point."
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California names new chairman
MONTEREY, CA -- The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California marked its 75th year in business May 12 with its annual meeting, where John Baillie was named board chairman.
Mr. Baillie of Baillie Family Farms/Tri-Counties Packing replaced the association's outgoing chairman, Kurt Gollnick of Scheid Vineyards. Mr. Baillie will be the association's chairman until 2007, when Kay Filice of Filice Farms will become the first chairwoman in the organization's history.
VANTAGE POINT: Guess what was missing at the CPMA show?
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 80th annual convention and trade show in Toronto had all the usual accoutrements: educational workshops, engaging speakers, exciting presentations of awards, field tours, fun-filled social events, a dynamic exposition.
One item, however, was missing: snow.
Also sub-freezing temperatures, packing thermal clothing and de-icing of planes.
After years and years of meeting in the dead of winter, CPMA decided to shift the timing of its wonderful annual event to springtime. And I for one am really glad.
Subcommittee agrees to delay COOL for meat until 2007
WASHINGTON -- Opponents of country-of-origin labeling got their feet in the door May 16 when a congressional subcommittee agreed to delay implementing the law for meat products until 2007.
Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX), chairman of the House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee, added language to a U.S. Department of Agriculture spending bill that would delay the controversial labeling program for meat products until September 2007.
Cyclospora outbreaks hit Florida, Toronto
WASHINGTON -- Florida Department of Health officials are investigating the source of a Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 200 people across 31 counties.
"We continue investigating the source of illness," said Lindsay Hodges, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health. The state has detected an increased number of reported Cyclospora cases -- 236 confirmed cases across 31 counties -- in recent weeks.
New pallet regulations will add cost, maybe confusion
As of Sept. 16, all wood packaging materials, including pallets, crates and boxes, must be treated for pests before entering or leaving the United States.
The required heat or fumigation treatment is expected to add about $1 to the cost of a pallet, and there is some question as to whether the produce industry will be ready to implement this new regulation handed down by the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.