Next generation at Double Diamond farms doing 'double duty'
A new generation of a family entering the greenhouse industry in Leamington, ON, is not an unusual happening. In fact, it's more normal than not in the area and has been for nearly the past 100 years. It all began when a couple of families emigrated from the Abruzzo region of Italy in the early part of the 20th century and did what they knew best: farm. Innovative people that they were, however, they soon learned that they could extend their crop season by growing in greenhouse environments.
Produce veteran joins MCL Distributing
MCL Distributing Inc., a grower, shipper and distributor of "4-Earth? brand conventional and organic specialty produce, announced the hiring of Jeanette De-Coninck Hertzler as a senior account manager.
IFPA board to vote on new European division
WASHINGTON " Top officers with the International Fresh-cut Produce Association are expected this April to give a go-ahead to a plan to create a European division, a model that, if successful, could be exported to other regions of the world.
The appetite for fresh-cut produce is growing in Europe, said IFPA President Jerry Welcome, who noted that European processors pitched the idea to IFPA last year. "Obesity is not as hot an issue as over here," he said. But time-starved shoppers, who continue to look for convenient products, are driving the market.
Winn-Dixie files Chapter 11 reorganization to address financial and operational challenges
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced Feb. 21 that in order to address the financial and operational challenges that have hampered its performance, the company and 23 of its U.S. subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The filings were made in the evening of Feb. 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
Peterson keynotes second annual FPFC Phoenix luncheon
PHOENIX " A gathering of nearly 200 people attended the Fresh Produce & Floral Council?s second annual Arizona luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the Phoenix Crown Plaza Hotel, here. Kevin Easler of Sprouts Farmers Market, served as the emcee for the event, while Wal-Mart?s Bruce Peterson was the day?s keynote speaker.
Produce industry gets high marks in bioterrorism drill
No contaminants were found on fruits and vegetables tested by the Food & Drug Administration as part of a six-week bioterrorism drill, according to FDA officials.
?This is very good news," said Kathy Means, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association, who added that this just reinforces that levels of contaminants are either extremely low or non-existent on fruits and vegetables.
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE: Frank Weichec's retirement brings flood of memories
PHILADELPHIA Frank Weichec Jr. wasn't around to speak for himself for a story on his retirement. He was with his beautiful wife, Alice, cruising his 41-foot motor yacht off South Florida.
Instead, his son, Chip Weichec, hunkered down in Norm & Lou?s Restaurant, the social center of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, here, to discuss his father?s career.
Global Berry expands marketing department
Global Berry Farms, based in Naples, FL, announced the hiring of Janis McIntosh as associate marketing manager, a new position.
She will be located in Salinas, CA, and will be responsible for coordinating packaging, trade show, and consumer and trade marketing efforts.
DNE touts strong clementine season, looks toward Chile
PHILADELPHIA " The venue for a lunch meeting with The Produce News on Feb. 15 was a fitting scene for Bill Weyland. Across the street from the restaurant was the historic U.S. Customs House, quite relevant to the general manager of imports for DNE World Fruit Sales Inc., based in Ft. Pierce, FL. Mr. Weyland works from an office in North Brunswick, NJ.
Dentelbeck leaving DRC to start consulting business
The Dispute Resolution Corp., the Ottowa-based organization that was created five years ago to facilitate a timely and affordable dispute resolution process in the Canadian produce trade, will lose a key member of its staff March 4 with the departure of Chuck Dentelbeck, director of operations, who announced Feb. 10 that he will leave the organization to start his own consulting company.