Winn-Dixie produce debt could reach $20 million
In the early throes of the Winn-Dixie filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the size of the debt is as much speculation as anything else. With that said, the early speculation is that the produce debt could reach $20 million.
Donovan joins Fresh Kist
Fresh Kist Produce in Salinas, CA, announced the hiring of Denny Donovan, who recently joined the company?s sales team.
Mr. Donovan has deep roots in the produce industry: his grandfather worked as a buyer in the 1930s for TopCo and Kroger, and his father worked for produce shippers in the San Jose area. Today, his father, uncle and two sons are all active in the produce industry.
?We are extremely pleased that Denny decided to come on board with us," said Jason Lathos, sales manager at Fresh Kist.
Garlic cloves key element to "Garlic Expressions? dressing
What humbly started out as a signature house dressing for one restaurant some 12 years ago is an item that can be found in specialty food stores and conventional supermarkets across the nation.
?Garlic Expressions? " a salad dressing noted for its whole fresh garlic cloves in every bottle " is the creation of Larry Croy, former chef and owner of a Perrysburg, OH-area restaurant where the salad dressing got its start.
SALINAS SCENE: Retailer serves as proving ground for Salinas-area growers
SALINAS, CA " Star Market, here, a mid-sized, independent, family-owned store not to be confused with the Star Market supermarket chain acquired by Albertson?s a year ago, prides itself (among other things) on carrying a wide variety of fresh produce from Salinas-area growers.
The single-entity grocery store has long been a favorite outlet for products from growers in the tri-county area of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.
Stacey Nelson steering Rosemont's marketing machine
With two degrees from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL " one in marketing and another in management " 25-year-old Stacey Nelson is leading the way in marketing for Boca Raton-based Rosemont Farms Corp. As Rosemont?s marketing coordinator, Ms. Nelson has been handling and directing the company?s marketing efforts since she was hired in mid-April. That includes "dealing with ads," attending trade shows such as the PMA Foodservice Conference, "product promotion ... [and] trying to get the brand recognition out there," she said.
South African grape deal gets off to very late start
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ " Belatedly, the 2005 South African grape deal was scheduled to begin in the United States on Feb. 24.
Meeting with The Produce News Feb. 23 in a new location for Fisher Capespan in a historic old port white stucco office building, here, company President Marc Solomon said that a variety of factors postponed the South African grape exports to the United States.
Earl?s enhances sales staff
Earl?s Organic Produce in San Francisco recently made some changes to its sales team. Patrick Stewart, who has been with the company for 10 years and has 13 years of experience in organics, has been promoted to sales manager. ?Patrick Stewart has been with me for 10 years, starting on the floor, and then driving and then in sales," stated Earl Herrick, owner of Earl?s Organic Produce. "This promotion to sales manager represents an Earl?s success story. We love to promote from within and look forward to Patrick?s new role."
Maui Hawaiian Gold pineapple makes splash at PGA event
Maui Pineapple Co. made a splash at the first PGA Tour tournament of 2005 in January, showcasing its "Hawaiian Gold? brand pineapple before more than 30,000 players, spectators and volunteers at the winners-only Mercedes Championships.
The event took place on the brand?s home turf, the 18-hole championship Plantation Course of Kapalua Resort, which is also home to 2,000 acres of pineapple fields that are actively cultivated by Maui Pineapple Co.
Desserts were OSO Sweet at Philadelphia charity event
When one thinks of foods for romance, oysters or chocolate usually come to mind. But at a recent fundraiser in Philadelphia, OSO Sweet onions proved they could be a wonderful addition to the most decadent of desserts.
At the inaugural "OSO Sweet Onion Confection Challenge," held just before Valentine?s Day at the Ronald McDonald House, top pastry chefs from the Philadelphia area were challenged to flex their culinary muscles and conjure up luscious OSO Sweet onion desserts good enough to woo the opposite sex.
Da Mimmo: The happening spot in Baltimore's Little Italy
BALTIMORE " Jan. 11, 2005, marked the 21st anniversary of Da Mimmo, a well-known Italian restaurant, celebrity hotspot and favorite neighborhood hangout in this city's Little Italy section.
And if you think one restaurant could not hold all those roles at the same time, you haven?t been to Da Mimmo.