IN THE TRENCHES: Skyrocketing oil prices could jolt the produce industry
While driving to a store, I noticed that the needle on my vehicles fuel gauge was flirting with empty. After challenging it for a few more miles, I decided to pull into a gas station and force myself to buy some liquid gold in order to continue motoring forward.
Once at the pump, I noticed a receipt sticking out of the slot from the previous customer. He or she probably left it there to avoid the possibility of a sudden heart attack from observing the results.
California strawberry growers roll with punches
California's strawberry growers have taken a hit this season with an inordinate amount of rain. But though Mother Nature packs a punch, growers have been able to stay on their feet.
"Its been a challenge," said Tim Youmans, national retail sales manager for Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates. Theres been a loss in production thats impacting retailers. The uncertainty of supplies has affected retailers ability to market the berries, he said.
DRC to provide trading assistance directly to its members
The Dispute Resolution Corp. and Blue Book Services jointly announced plans to reconfigure their six-year working arrangement whereby Blue Book Services had provided trading assistance services on the DRC's behalf to its members.
By mid-summer 2005, the DRC will independently provide such services to its members located in Canada, the United States and Mexico from its Ottawa, ON, headquarters. DRC and Blue Book Services will continue to build on their strong working relationship as they enter into this new phase of their strategic alliance.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: Communication: Is it better today than it used to be?
I just recently attended a meeting with the new (as in recently appointed) Canadian deputy minister of agriculture. Also attending was a significant number of Canadian Agri-Food Industry association managers. I was struck that the common theme amongst all was: How do we more effectively communicate and consult with the agricultural department? What was reassuring was that it was a common theme. In fairness, this issue isn't only with that single government department, or indeed with the private sector.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: Communication: Is it better today than it used to be?
I just recently attended a meeting with the new (as in recently appointed) Canadian deputy minister of agriculture. Also attending was a significant number of Canadian Agri-Food Industry association managers. I was struck that the common theme amongst all was: How do we more effectively communicate and consult with the agricultural department? What was reassuring was that it was a common theme. In fairness, this issue isn't only with that single government department, or indeed with the private sector.
Acme Markets to feature Bill Nardelli in ad circulars and in-store signage
As part of its ongoing support of locally grown products and farmers, Acme Markets will feature Bill Nardelli of Nardelli Bros. Inc. in Cederville, NJ, in its advertising circulars and in-store signage beginning this season. Acme, whose 140 or so stores represent the Northeast region of the Albertson's chain, "has long been a supporter of New Jersey-grown items," Mr. Nardelli told The Produce News April 29. "We're very pleased to have a national chain take pride in promoting fresh produce from New Jersey.
New Philadelphia market will try to please all buyers
PHILADELPHIA - "The cold chain" is a catch phrase in the produce industry, and no one denies its benefits to fresh produce.
As the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market develops a design for its new market, initial plans called for entirely maintaining a cold chain to please the most heat-sensitive of any fresh produce commodities.
Agribuys and Foodconnex merge to form FoodLink Online
Agribuys in Torrance, CA, which describes itself as the leading provider of supply chain management software and services to the global perishable foods industry, and Foodconnex Worldwide in Roseville, CA, a provider of technology to companies in the perishables and food retail markets, announced May 2 that they have merged to form FoodLink Online.
New rule may weaken U.S.-Cuba trade
WASHINGTON - Some agricultural producers have raised concerns about a new regulation that requires U.S. shippers to be paid for food and other goods destined for Cuba before shipments leave U.S. ports.
The U.S. Treasury Department changed its regulations Feb. 22 and now authorizes all exports to Cuba only if payment is received by the seller before the shipment of goods leave the U.S. port.
More orderly harvest expected for 2005 California stone fruit season
The 2004 Annual Report of the California Tree Fruit Agreement describes the 2004 California tree fruit season as "one of the worst on record." Even though volume for the year was well below the five-year average, the timing of the harvest "would wreak havoc with supplies.
Excessive spring and early summer heat brought the crop on too fast, and "for the entire first half of the season, fruit volume on average was 60 percent above normal.