Onion crop makes seasonal transition to Texas
As April gets long in the tooth, the relatively seamless transition between onion production from Mexico and south Texas is just about complete, as producers from the Lone Star State anticipate a better second half of the season.
CMI continues to explore some innovative p-o-s strategies
On the heels of its recent "Golden Oldies" series of point-of-sale graphics and collateral material distribution, Columbia Marketing International Corp. in Wenatchee, WA, is rolling out a new campaign at the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association convention and expo in Chicago April 30 - May 3.
According to CMI Director of Marketing Bob Mast, this most recent strategy combines eye-catching high-quality graphics with education, and it brings in elements of cross merchandising as well.
Refrigerated space available for South American markets
PHILADELPHIA - At an April 18 breakfast meeting in the grand Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia convened to discuss exporting goods from the Delaware Valley to Brazil and Chile.
A number of speakers addressed the opportunities in these South American markets, although no mention was made of southbound perishable exports. Tens of millions of boxes of refrigerated Chilean and Brazilian produce arrive each winter into the seaports of the Delaware Valley.
Kroger's Tenney to be featured speaker at United reception honoring women in produce
WASHINGTON - The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced that Jenney Tenney, produce merchandiser for The Kroger Co.'s Great Lakes Division, will be the featured speaker at the 2005 Women in Produce reception during the United Produce Show at FMI, April 30-May 3 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The annual reception honors all women working in the produce industry, and recognizes one outstanding female industry leader.
Kern County potato acreage drops
California new potato growers and handlers from the Kern County district hope that their potatoes - dug, packed and shipped without moving into cold storage - really are a hot potato in a true marketing sense.
It is this rush to freshness that makes California new potatoes unique, since most potatoes marketed nationwide are done so out of storage.
BC Hot House is heating things up at Frieda's
Frieda's Inc. in Los Angeles has announced its exclusive marketing agreement with BC Hot House Foods Inc. in Vancouver, BC, producers of premium products grown indoors in a hydroponic, climate-controlled environment.
Born in greenhouses resembling exclusive high-tech spas for plants, Friedas newest crop of produce receives natural sunlight, ventilation, plant nutrition and carbon dioxide exactly when it wants it.
Florida agencies continue resolute fight against canker disease
On April 6, the Ft. Pierce (FL) Tribune published a guest column about the state's Citrus Canker Eradication Program. In it, Jack Haire, a Broward County resident who was a participant in the original anti-canker eradication lawsuits that delayed the process for several years, made some statements that officials from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services adamantly state are untrue.
Senate rejects AgJobs, but supporters remain hopeful
WASHINGTON Although the Senate voted April 19 not to debate the AgJobs bill, supporters say they were pleased with the vote tally and believe there is enough support to pass it in the Senate later this year.
Maggie Bezart leaves Ocean Mist Farms
Maggie Bezart, vice president of marketing and sales for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms since 1999, left the company April 15 with an eye toward pursuing other employment. She will consult for Ocean Mist through June.
Oregon Senate vote names pear state's official fruit
The Oregon Senate in Milwaukie voted to designate pears the official state fruit of Oregon, bringing to a close a fruitful endeavor initiated by the Pear Bureau Northwest on behalf of Oregon's 370 pear growers.