The grilling season continues with the Fourth of July holiday, and Frieda’s Inc. is sharing some holiday favorites. These colorful suggestions, the Los Alamitos, Calif.-based company says, will make any produce department stand out. “Fourth of July grilling is all about summer traditions like hot dogs and burgers, but consumers are also looking to change […]
Tag: produce
Posted in, West
Northwest Pear Growers Forecast Full-Size Crop From Washington, Oregon
Representatives of the Northwest pear industry met last week in Portland to project the size of the 2013 fresh pear harvest. With reports of a crop of excellent quality from the Pacific Northwest growing regions of Wenatchee and Yakima, Washington and Mid-Columbia and Medford in Oregon, the total projection is showing approximately 19.8 million standard […]
Posted in, National
Florida Sweet Corn: Slow Start, Record Finish
After a slow start to the spring deal following early March freezes, May ended up being a record month for Florida sweet corn. Shipments for the month are up more than 27 percent from average May volume during the previous two years. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this success. The […]
Posted in, National
Georgia Peach Growers Expect Outstanding Season
Sweet Georgia Peaches are arriving at grocery stores for the season. This year’s crop is expected to not only be delicious, but also, abundant. This season’s peak months are expected to be in June and July and continue through mid-August. “It’s going to be a great year for Georgia Peaches,” says Will McGehee of the […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Avocados From Mexico Implements New $36M Marketing Strategy
Avocados from Mexico Inc. (AFM), the newly formed marketing agency dedicated to the Mexican avocado industry, is allocating $36 million to grow the category and propel the Avocados from Mexico brand. To implement this strategy, Tim O’Connor, CEO of AFM, will appoint Arnold Worldwide as integrated agency of record and Ketchum as PR agency of […]
Posted in, National
FoodLink Showcases ‘Item,’ WMS Services
FoodLink, which began about 12 years ago to help retailers connect with their fresh foods suppliers, is offering a number of new services. In fact, the Los Gatos, Calif.-based company took home the “Best New Food Safety Product” award for its item-level tracking solution at the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual convention in San Diego […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Launches New Label For Champagne Grapes
Frieda’s Champagne Grapes, with a new green and purple label, are available for pre-booking. Packed in a 16/1-lb. clamshell to protect the fruit, Frieda’s will have supplies of Champagne Grapes beginning in July. “Frieda’s new label stands out in your grape displays, which makes it easier for consumers to find them and pick them up,” […]
Posted in, National
United Fresh 2013 Attendees Recognize Best New Products
Attendees of the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual convention and expo in San Diego cast their votes Wednesday and recognized this year’s New Product Awards in five categories. More than 30 fresh fruit and vegetable innovations competed in the categories of Best New Food Safety Solution, Best New Fruit Product, Best New Packaging, Best New […]
Posted in, National
Chiquita’s Restructuring Efforts Improve Company’s 1Q Operations
Chiquita Brands International Inc. earlier this week released financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2013, reporting net income of $2 million for the period compared to net loss of $11 million for the first quarter of 2012. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company also reported comparable operating income of $23 million compared to $13 […]
Posted in, National
Green Giant Fresh Adds Avocados To Product Line
Green Giant Fresh has added avocados to its line of fresh fruits, vegetables and value-added meal solutions. In association with C.H. Robinson Co. Inc., Green Giant Fresh will start shipping fresh avocados to retailers nationwide in late May. Branded with the Green Giant icon, the new avocado product line will be available year-round through C.H. […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Ready Pac’s President/CEO Retiring, Successor Named
Michael Solomon, president and CEO of Ready Pac Foods Inc., has announced his retirement from Ready Pac. Solomon has been with Ready Pac since 2006 and has been president and CEO since 2008. He has led the company through several years of record performance. “I have decided that now since I have a strong senior […]
Posted in, Suppliers, West
Inventure To Acquire Berry Processing Biz From Willamette Valley Fruit
Inventure Foods Inc., a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, has signed a non-binding letter of intent for the purchase of the berry processing business of Willamette Valley Fruit Co. LLC (WVFC), including building and ground leases. Terms were not disclosed, as the transaction remains subject to completion of due diligence, agreement on a definitive […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Gorny To Join PMA’s Science And Technology Team
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has named Dr. Jim Gorny to the newly created position of VP of food safety and technology, starting May 1. In his role, Gorny will strengthen PMA’s initiatives to build member value in the areas of science and technology, including food safety research, biotechnology, agricultural innovations, process and packaging technology and […]
Posted in, Southwest
Food Workshops Scheduled In New Mexico
New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers and food processors are invited to attend one of three workshops across the state to help them better understand how new federal food safety legislation could impact their business. New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) are […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Back To The Roots Launches Fish Tank That Grows Food
Back to the Roots, creator of the Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden, pre-launched its second product, a home Aquaponics Garden, on Kickstarter in November. Now, with summer fast approaching, gardens will be ready at the end of April and will ship right away in May. Shipping to retailers will begin in June. The Home Aquaponics Garden was […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Harris Teeter, Chiquita Team With Carolinas HealthCare On Aid Project
Much-needed medical supplies and equipment are on the way to a Guatemala hospital, thanks to a partnership involving Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc., Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Carolinas HealthCare System. The Charlotte Business Journal reports that Carolinas HealthCare’s International Medical Outreach program—a partnership with the Heineman Foundation of Charlotte—has refurbished and repaired nearly 13,000 pounds […]
Posted in, West
Artichoke Named Official State Vegetable Of California
The artichoke has been named the official state vegetable of California. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement earlier today. California produces 99 percent of the annual U.S. crop of fresh market artichokes. The drive to name the official state food was organized by a radio station in San Francisco and was based on votes […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s To Be Inducted Into National Women Business Owners Corp.’s HOF
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been named an inductee of the National Women Business Owners Corp.’s (NWBOC) “Decades of Excellence” Hall of Fame at the national NWBOC conference in Florida this May. Frieda’s will be honored, among other companies, for being a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certified with NWBOC for 10 years or more. NWBOC was […]
Posted in, National
Chiquita Losses Continue To Climb
Chiquita Brands International Inc. multiplied its losses to $335 million, or $7.24 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2012 when compared with the same quarter in the previous year, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. The company had reported a loss of $16 million, or 36 cents per share, during the fourth quarter of […]
Posted in, National, West
Grantham Joins Mann Packing Co.
Craig Grantham recently joined Mann Packing Co. as the new director of trade marketing. Grantham joins Mann with 16 years of sales experience. In addition, he has seven years experience in business development, process improvement and developing promotional programs. Grantham started his career at the Gillette Co. where he held numerous sales, trade marketing and […]