Rivera Vineyards to sit out 2005 fresh grape season
THERMAL, CA " One of the larger table grape grower-shipper operations in the Coachella Valley " Rivera Vineyards " has removed itself from the 2005 fresh table grape shipping season, which is set to start in early May.
RETAIL VIEW: Sampling gaining favor but cost is limiting factor
The grocery industry and consumer press seem to be inundated with stories about the advantages of in-store sampling lately. One Florida newspaper article recently sang its praises, outlining efforts by stores with pepper jelly and cream cheese on pretzels, French bread with a dipping sauce, and a pre-mixed meatloaf.
United leaders share wish list with USDA secretary
WASHINGTON - Coming from Nebraska, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns admitted he was not up to speed with fresh fruit and vegetable industry issues at a March 29 meeting with leaders of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.
But United President Tom Stenzel said that the new secretary was very supportive, asked many questions and expressed interest in touring produce operations to become more familiar with an industry that will be demanding more attention from USDA in the upcoming farm bill debate.
SunSelect peppers bolster Oppenheimer's summer greenhouse supply
SunSelect Produce in Aldergrove, BC, is the latest greenhouse producer to join marketing forces with Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group. Oppenheimer signed a multi-year agreement with SunSelect in mid-March, and began shipping the first bell peppers grown by its new partner a week later.
Michael Cutler starts independent venture
?My brother and I, in a friendly move, split and went different directions," Michael Cutler told The Produce News on April 11, a week after his new firm, Michael Cutler Co. in Olyphant, PA, began its operations.
Mr. Cutler, who has been in the produce business for 37 years, was previously associated with his brother, Harris Cutler, in Race West Co. and Philip G. Ball Co. in Clarks Summit, PA.
Harris Cutler succinctly and simply commented to The Produce News: "We wish Michael and his employees great success in their new venture."
Fruits and vegetables take center stage in new government food pyramid
NEWARK, DE -- Fruits and vegetables are the centerpiece of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new food guidance system that will be used to help the public understand and use the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and make more healthful choices among the foods they eat, including greater consumption of fruits and vegetables.
If the hat fits, Ivey Pope wears it
Ivey Pope wears many hats as a young, up-and-coming produce professional. The 25-year-old plays multiple roles representing multiple related companies, all under the auspices of DL&B Enterprises in Clinton, NC. DL&B is a grower, packer, shipper and a lot more, according to Ms. Pope. "Doug and Linda Wilson are the owners; DL&B stands for Doug and Linda and the boys," Ms. Pope said of the family-owned business.
CDC offers few answers about Sheetz outbreak
WASHINGTON " A new report by federal disease investigators on last year?s Salmonella outbreak at Sheetz convenience stores raised more questions than it offered answers about how tomatoes may have sickened 561 people in 18 states.
Florida tomatoes suffer again
Year-to-date, the Florida tomato industry is behind by about 6 million boxes from previous years. Approximately 5 million of that figure is directly attributable to crop damage and losses that resulted from the four hurricanes that hit the state in August and September of last year. But the remaining 1 million-box decline is being blamed on spring shortages due to unusually bad weather in the state during the current growing season as well as some sporadic disease problems.
Keim leaves Prime Produce, will open branch office for as yet unnamed firm
Dick Keim, director of sales for Prime Produce International LLC in Lake Forest, CA, has left Prime Produce and will be opening a Southern California office for an existing produce company whose name is yet to be announced.