Delano, California-based Four Star Fruit, a grower and marketer of year-round table grapes, is concluding the California grape season and is transitioning to the Peruvian and Chilean import season. The California growing season this year was difficult due to the hot weather, creating problematic growing conditions and higher input costs, resulting in a strain on retail […]
Category: West
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, West
Wild Tonic Debuts Wanderer Series Beverage Line
Sedona, Arizona-based Wild Tonic, a brand of Jun Kombucha made with honey instead of cane sugar, has announced a new product within its nature-inspired holistic, non-alcoholic beverage line. Launching in January, The Wanderer Series features the namesakes of traditional cocktails. The beverages come in four variations: Bees Knees, a lemony gin flavor with juniper and coriander; […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Blue Diamond Growers Appoints Bockmann As President, CEO
Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers and its board chairman, Dan Cummings, have announced that Kai Bockmann has been named as president and CEO, effective Jan. 17. The board selected Bockmann after working with executive search and leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. Bockmann will succeed Mark Jansen, who […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Del Monte Foods Names Caltabiano As CFO
Walnut Creek, California-based Del Monte Foods has announced the appointment of Jim Caltabiano as CFO. Caltabiano will oversee the management of the company’s financial organization and report to Parag Sachdeva, COO. He is a finance professional with about 30 years of experience within large consumer packaged goods companies, including Ajinomoto Foods, Campbell Soup Co., Procter & Gamble and General […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Real California Milk Celebrates Holiday With Cheese Wreath Kit
In celebration of the holidays, the California Milk Advisory Board has introduced a collaboration with cheese shop Lady & Larder and cheese expert Jessica Lawrenz to present the California Cheese Wreath Kit, a collection of cheeses, dried fruit, nuts and crackers used to create an edible arrangement. Each kit ordered will include a donation of $20 to Feeding America […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Innovator of the Year, West
Cardenas’ Doug Sanders Named To Food Industry Hall Of Fame
Doug Sanders was raised in the East Texas town of Nacogdoches, which sits two hours north of Houston and three hours southeast of Dallas. Sanders grew up spending summers working on his grandparents’ farm. Now in his 38th year in the grocery industry, he finds himself serving as chairman and CEO of California-based Cardenas Markets, […]
Posted inPackaging News, West
Hazelnut Growers Of Oregon Debuts New Packaging With Mascot
Hazelnut Growers of Oregon is relaunching its Oregon Orchard brand with new packaging for its baking, snacking and chocolate-covered hazelnuts. The rebrand will elevate consumer awareness of hazelnuts as a sustainable alternative to almonds and other popular nuts. The updated brand also introduces Hazel the Health Nut, a mascot that “embodies the philosophy of the ‘Lifestyles of […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sun-Maid Appoints Loftus As President, COO
Fresno, California-based Sun-Maid Growers of California has appointed Steve Loftus as president and COO, reporting to Harry Overly, executive chairman of the board. Loftus will replace Braden Bender, who has been serving as Sun-Maid’s interim-president since September, and is returning to his role as CFO. In this new role, all functional areas within Sun-Maid will report […]