The Cutrale Group, an agribusiness and juice company, and investment firm Safra Group have proposed to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Chiquita Brands Inc. for $13 per share, or approximately $625 million, in cash. This proposal represents a premium of 29 percent to Chiquita’s closing share price of $10.06 as of Aug. […]
Tag: produce
Posted in, National
Sunset Taking Produce On Cross-Country Flavor Tour
Sunset has taken off on its first Flavor Tour to bring its flavor to American consumers coast to coast. The Sunset Flavor Crew will stop at a number of retailers, concerts and community events from Massachusetts to California over the next three months, culminating in Anaheim, Calif., for the Produce Marketing Association’s 2014 Fresh Summit Oct. […]
Posted in, West
Memorial Services For Produce Pioneers Upcoming
Two pioneers of the western produce industry passed away over the weekend, just one day apart. Mr. Ed Baloian, patriarch of Baloian Farms of Fresno, Calif., a grower of peppers and mixed vegetables, died Saturday at the age of 92. He had suffered health problems over the last few years but had been at the […]
Posted in, National, West
Memorial Service For Produce Industry Veteran Tim Warren This Weekend
Mr. Timothy Wayne Warren, a produce industry veteran, died July 15 in Corona, Calif., due to heart complications. He was 55. A memorial service will be held this weekend. Mr. Warren was well known and respected within the produce community and was working in sales for Great West Produce Co. at the time of his […]
Posted in, Midwest
The Produce Mom Welcomes Chelan Fresh To Family Of Partners
Chelan Fresh Marketing has joined The Produce Mom Family of Partners. The Produce Mom is the official blog and consumer brand of Indianapolis Fruit Co., a supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to retailers in more than 14 Midwestern states. The blog was launched in January 2012 and is authored by Lori Taylor, marketing manager. […]
Posted in, Perishables, Southwest
Denver Approves New Urban Farming Law Allowing Some Sales From Homes
The City of Denver could become one big farmer’s market after the city council recently approved a new law that allows Denver residents to sell products they grow and make from their homes. The new law, which took effect July 18, applies to fresh produce residents have grown themselves and cottage foods such as jams […]
Posted in, National
NGA, Feeding America Laud Passage By House Of Food Donation Giving Incentives
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and Feeding America both are commending the House of Representatives for passage of House Resolution 4719, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2014. The resolution includes legislation that would renew and expand tax incentives for donated food. “We applaud the House for passage of HR 4719,” said Greg Ferrara, VP […]
Posted in, National, New Products
The Little Potato Co. Debuts New Packaging And Products
The Little Potato Co., the largest grower of creamer potatoes in North America, has launched smaller packaging with a 1.5-lb. gusset bag that is portable and easy to store for its red, yellow and blue creamer potatoes. Each variety is proprietary to the company and comes with a unique story, appearance, flavor and texture. The […]
Posted in, Southwest
New TIPA Event Will Promote U.S./Mexico Border & Produce Diversity
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is replacing its former Texas Produce Convention with a new event next year—the VIVA Fresh Conference and Expo, showcasing produce grown in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The expo is planned for March 26-28, 2015, at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas. “We’re incredibly excited to debut this new […]
Posted in, Industry News, Perishables
Inventure Foods Introduces Vitamin-Enhanced Rader Brand Frozen Fruit
Inventure Foods has introduced Rader Farms Fruit PLUS Vitamins, the first-ever fortified whole frozen fruit product. Using proprietary technology and topical nutrients sourced from whole fruits and vegetables, Fruit PLUS Vitamins builds on naturally-occurring vitamins found within whole strawberries, blueberries and blackberries and boosts the nutrition level with five additional vitamins, including B1, B6, D, E […]
Posted in, West
California Cantaloupe Board Debuts Summer Consumer Sweepstakes
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board’s Summertime Yum & Cantaloupe Fun online sweepstakes promotion is now under way and is designed to draw more people to the organization’s website and social media properties. Last year the California cantaloupe industry established a new mandatory food safety program and launched an on-line education effort designed to increase confidence […]
Posted in, National
Veggie Patch Launches Two New Vegetable Products
Seeking to satisfy Americans’ increasing appetite for healthier food options and the desire to incorporate more vegetables into their diets, Veggie Patch, a leading brand of flavorful and healthy vegetable-based foods, says it is debuting two new and unique creations: Roasted Red Pepper Falafel and Moroccan Red Lentil Cakes. Veggie Patch’s new Roasted Red Pepper […]
Posted in, National
Domex Superfresh Talks Promotional Opps For Fall Apple Crop
Summer has just begun and there is still more planning and preparation needed to ready the new crop of Washington apples for the fall harvest. Trees around the state are covered with an abundance of apples. The official estimate will not be announced until Aug. 11; growers and industry experts, relying on Mother Nature’s cooperation, […]
Posted in, National
United Fresh And NACS Partner To Focus On Driving Produce Sales
United Fresh Produce Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) have formed a new partnership to identify best practices that can be shared across the industry to assist convenience store operators in developing their own fresh produce supply chains and in-store management. A new task force of members of both groups met during […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Southeast
Georgia Peach Council Launches Summertime Marketing Campaign
Georgia Peach growers are gearing up for a plentiful crop, which is expected to peak in volume and quality next month. To highlight the outstanding flavor of the quintessential summertime fruit, the Georgia Peach Council has launched a new, seasonal marketing campaign aimed at both retailers and consumers. “There’s nothing like the taste of a […]
Posted in, National
United Fresh New Product Award Winners Showcase Innovation, Creativity
Attendees of the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual convention and expo in Chicago this week cast their votes throughout the show for fresh produce innovation and recognized this year’s New Product Awards in five categories. More than 40 fresh fruit and vegetable innovations competed in the categories of Best New Food Safety Solution, Best New […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Pear Bureau Northwest Reveals Display Contest Winners
Portland, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest has revealed the 40 winners of its inaugural “Pear Up with USA Pears” display contest. The contest invited all retailers from across the U.S. and Canada to build an eye-catching display that features Green Anjou, Red Anjou and Bosc pears at minimum, with inclusion of other varieties of USA Pears […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Meijer Opens Southernmost Store In Bowling Green, Ky.
Meijer opened a supercenter on Thursday in Bowling Green, Ky., marking its southernmost location. The 190,000-s.f. store at 1676 Westpark Dr. has created more than 270 new jobs and will provide local residents with fresh produce delivered daily, affordable, high-quality merchandise as well as a full-service pharmacy that makes family healthcare a priority, according to […]
Posted in, West
Shipping Of Washington State Apricots Beginning Soon
Domex Superfresh Growers of Yakima, Wash., says it is looking forward to a “sweet” Washington State apricot crop this season. The industry is estimating approximately 5,200 tons, which is about a 9 percent increase over what was shipped last season. Weather this growing season for apricots has been excellent and will provide above-average sizing and […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
PMA Launches Redesigned Website
In response to member feedback and as part of its new strategic plan implementation, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) unveiled its redesigned website at pma.com today. With a fresh new design, new structure, a fully functioning search feature and mobile-ready access, the website is part of the association’s ongoing efforts to bring a complete portfolio of […]