EPA listens to NAS on perchlorate standard
The Environmental Protection Agency has set a reference dose for perchlorate, a chemical that has been found in lettuce, milk and now in breast milk.
The new safe dose, which translates into 24.5 parts per billion in drinking water, is what the National Academy of Sciences recommended in January, a dramatic change from what the EPA had originally proposed.
CTFA teams with California pear board for shared retail representation
The California Tree Fruit Agreement in Reedley announced a new partnership with the California Pear Advisory Board to share its retail sales representatives for the 2005 season.
Near-record rainfall affects many crops in California and Arizona
Except for a couple of light rain storms expected five to seven days out, a near-record onslaught of rainy weather in Southern California showed promise of coming to an end as what growers hoped would be the last major storms of the season moved out of the state on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
The latest series of storms dumped another eight to 11 inches of water on already soggy soil, causing additional damage to various crops and disrupting both planting and harvesting schedules and bringing rainfall totals year-to-date close to a record.
Feuerstein named vice president of finance and CFO for Growers Express
Growers Express LLC in Salinas, CA, has appointed Victor Feuerstein to the newly created positions of vice president of finance and chief financial officer, effective Feb. 16.
In his new role at Growers Express, Mr. Feuerstein will oversee all financial, accounting and budgeting operations. He will report to Growers Express President Randolph Breschini.
Dole?s Chilean imports on track
EDDYSTONE, PA " The Chilean fruit deal now has plenty of fruit to promote, according to Brad Cantwell, vice president of North American sales for the deciduous group of the Dole Fresh Fruit Co., based here.
The deal started with high prices because of a fruit shortage in Chile?s northern growing areas. But situations have normalized, Mr. Cantwell said during a Feb. 15 interview with The Produce News. Also participating in the interview at the Dole offices, located near the Philadelphia International Airport, was Mike Schiappa, director of sales.
Argentine pears dominate Oppenheimer?s early Southern Hemisphere pipfruit plans
The Southern Hemisphere pear season is shaping up well for The Oppenheimer Group, one of the industry's larger marketers of Argentine pears based in Vancouver, BC.
According to David Nelley, Oppenheimer?s pipfruit category director, the company represented nearly 20 percent of Argentina?s apple and pear exports to North America in 2004, and the company expects to increase that proportion in 2005.
WSPC hires director of trade
Matthew Harris joined the Moses Lake-based Washington State Potato Commission Feb. 17 as the new director of trade. Previously he was an account executive for Ag Management in Kennewick, WA, where he administered event management, database development and regulatory compliance for agricultural commodity organizations.
Mr. Harris held similar positions at the Maurer Christensen Co. and Far West Spearmint Oil, both also in the Tri-Cities area. He holds a bachelor?s degree in agricultural economics from Washington State University.
Gargiulo: Quality is key to improved grower returns
VISALIA, CA " The mission of Sunkist Growers Inc. " to provide the highest returns possible for quality California and Arizona citrus growers " has not changed in over 100 years, Jeff Gargiulo, president and CEO of Sunkist, said at the organization's annual meeting.
Value proposition theme of RFIDretail conference
MONTEREY, CA " If Bruce Peterson, senior vice president of perishables for Wal-Mart, is correct, then radio frequency identification technology has so far just scratched the surface of its potential.
?The ultimate applications to RFID have yet to be thought about," Mr. Peterson told the audience gathered for the RFIDretail conference held Feb. 10-11 at the Monterey Marriott, here.
The first day featured speakers from various industries, and the second day involved a field trip to the RFID cold-chain produce testing center at nearby NewStar in Salinas.
Chiquita buys Fresh Express
Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced Feb. 23 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Fresh Express unit of Richmond, VA-based Performance Food Group for $855 million in cash.
The move marks the latest " and largest " development in Chiquita?s resurgence after its 2001 bankruptcy filing. In March 2002, the company announced that it had emerged from its pre-arranged Chapter 11 restructuring "as a healthy company with a solid financial structure."