Ways to increase produce sales explored at FPFC luncheon
OAKLAND, CA - An overflow crowd teeming with retailers packed the Oakland Hilton Tuesday, April 27, here, for a Northern California luncheon meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council.
With featured speaker Ronnie de la Cruz of the Produce Marketing Association discussing how retailers can utilize their in-store staff to sell more produce, the meeting was packed with representatives from Safeway, Albertson's, Save Mart, Raley's and other Northern California-based companies.
FDA to hold public meeting on sprout safety
WASHINGTON - Sprouts continue to cause foodborne illnesses, despite the fact that the Food & Drug Administration released safety guidelines for the industry six years ago. Now FDA is holding a public meeting next month to start the process of writing mandatory regulations to stem the number of sprout-related outbreaks.
Kelsi Farms to sell Double D's organics
Kelsi Farms Inc. in Visalia, CA, a produce marketing company formed about six months ago, will be handling the sales of a line of organic vegetables and melons from Double D Farms in Coalinga, CA, according to Robert Faulkner, Kelsi's founder.
Chilean clementines stronger, diversified and ready to compete
Chile's clementine traders are keen to place their fruit for the first time this year in the U.S. market, hopeful that their fast-growing clementine deal will be as well received by U.S. consumers as it has been by European consumers. Chiles record harvest is set to begin in mid-May, with the United States targeted as the market of choice for the early part of the deal.
Produce Safety & Security announces marketing agreement
Produce Safety & Security International Inc., based in Toronto, announced that it has reached a marketing agreement with O.H. Trading Corp. for fruits, vegetables and olive oil from South America, South Africa, Europe and New Zealand.
California cherry crop looks to be lighter this year
The 2005 California cherry crop is expected to be "lighter by 10 to 20 percent" compared to 2004, said Jim Culbertson, executive director of the California Cherry Advisory Board in Lodi, CA.
In speaking with The Produce News on April 18, Mr. Culbertson said that the state produced the equivalent of 6 million 18-pound boxes of cherries in 2004. I'm baffled by the crop size, Mr. Culbertson said. Im surprised the crop is as light. The state is on a growth curve with cherry acreage, and the states maximum potential is 8 million boxes of cherries, he said.
Verdelli Farms names Kathi Metzger sales manager
Family-owned produce processor Verdelli Farms Inc., announced the promotion of 15-year company employee Kathi Metzger to sales manager.
Ms. Metzger, who joined the Harrisburg, PA-based company in 1990, previously served as Verdelli's customer service manager and has played a significant role in Verdelli's growth and success.
Fruit fly larvae finds in Texas citrus trigger action
Fruit fly larvae were found in two different shipments of Texas citrus at a California/Arizona border agricultural inspection station in late April, triggering immediate suspension of shipments from the shippers in question and a new protocol for other shippers.
Symposium shines spotlight on Sonora agriculture
CIUDAD OBREGON, SONORA, MEXICO - The Sonora agricultural community convened for an unprecedented summit April 19-21, here, at the Hotel Grande Valle Obregon to explore ways to better work together to promote Sonoran agriculture products on both a national and international level.
John Vena Specialties LLC is formed
PHILADELPHIA - John Vena Inc. announced April 25 the formation of a new venture: John Vena Specialties LLC. John J. Hickey will be the managing and operational partner of this company, located in the John Vena Inc. warehouse here.
John Vena Specialties will initially work with specialty produce growers in California, Mexico, Florida and Chile.