Mills finds new retail niche
Mills Family Farms? "Wholeaves? washed, ready-to-use, individual lettuce leaves are now available in retail-friendly bags. The Salinas, CA-based company?s retail packs are fresh, nutritious and offer the ultimate in convenience.
Available in green leaf, red leaf, Romaine and green cascade mix, Mills Family Farms? "Wholeaves? are perfect for topping a sandwich, dressing up a burger or tossing into a sensational salad. "Wholeaves? are also ideal for gourmet wraps.
Crown Jewels joins the Summeripe Alliance
Summeripe Worldwide Inc. in Dinuba, CA, has announced the addition of Crown Jewels Marketing in Fresno, CA, to the Summeripe Alliance of quality tree fruit shippers.
Crown Jewels Marketing is the eighth member to join the alliance of existing Summeripe members: Family Tree Farms Inc., George Bros. Inc., Giannini Packing Co., Mountain View Fruit Sales Inc., Pandol Bros. Inc., Simonian Fruit Co. and Wespak Sales Co.
Everything set for SPC's second annual event in Tampa, Florida
The speakers are set, the exhibitors are ready to showcase their products, the tours are in place and registration is up from last year. In other words, everything is positioned to make this year?s Southeast Produce Council conference and expo a success.
CAFG&S appoints new president
?Like father like son? is an expression that certainly applies to Mike Franzoia, who handles sales and marketing for California Flower Shippers Inc. and was named president of the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers in December.
PMA finds low consumer awareness of produce recommendations in new dietary guidelines
Results from a new Produce Marketing Association consumer survey have found that only slightly more than one-third of consumers are aware of the fruit and vegetable recommendations contained in the recently released 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and that the concept of what constitutes a "serving? of produce varied widely among respondents.
Bab? re-introduces six packs
Bab? Farms in Santa Maria, CA, is re-introducing six of its value-added baby veggies in new two-pound packaging.
French beans, yellow wax beans, sno peas, baby squash, baby zucchini and hand-peeled baby carrots now come in packaging that assures 14-day shelf life with optimum refrigeration.
In addition to delivering farm-fresh flavor and appearance that can establish brand preference, the new packaging offers the convenience of in-the-bag preparation for microwaving, steaming or boiling.
Apple industry fights E.U. directive as trade barrier
WASHINGTON " A new European Union rule slated to go into effect April 1 will require that all U.S. apples for the European market be inspected, a move that has infuriated U.S. apple companies.
The U.S. apple industry has been pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fight the April 1 rule as a trade barrier, and its efforts may be paying off as new Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns pledged to help resolve the issue at a congressional hearing last month.
RETAIL VIEW: The Food Mill Food Farm-acy preaches healthy message
Continuing its efforts to link diet with health, California-based Kaiser Permanente has made space available in one of its hospital campuses for a retail market that is truly a health food store. The Food Mill, an Oakland, CA, fixture for the past 70 years, has opened a second store based on the premise that it only sells healthy items. 'We only sell items that are good for you,' said Kirk Watkins, owner and produce buyer. "Our items have no trans fat and are low in carbs, sugars and fats. A diabetic could shop this store and eat anything in it."
Galone named marketing VP at Diamond Fruit
Fruit industry veteran Neil Galone recently relocated from the Yakima Valley in Washington state to the mid-Columbia area of Oregon and Washington, where he has taken the position of vice president of marketing for Diamond Fruit Growers Inc. in Odell, OR.
Mr. Galone, who brought 25 years of experience to the Diamond team when he arrived Feb. 14, will eventually replace Marketing Vice President Gerry Jessup, who will retire in late May.
Taste preference is key to boosting consumption
New research shows that people may inherit their sense of taste, and this may influence how consumers can boost servings of certain fruits and vegetables to meet new health recommendations.
Consumers rely on taste as a top factor for buying fresh fruits and vegetables, and using information on taste preference may be the best way to sell more fruits and vegetables.