The United Fresh Foundation, through its Center for Leadership Excellence, has launched its 2013 compensation survey for the fresh produce industry. The data collected will be published in an expansive research report that will assist produce industry employers in understanding critical compensation benchmarks. The compensation survey, which was first released in 2011, has been updated […]
Tag: produce
Posted in, National
Produce Traceability Initiative To Offer Comments On FDA Report
The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), designed to help the produce industry maximize the effectiveness of current trac back procedures, currently is developing a response to the Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) 10 recommendations released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the document entitled “Pilot Projects for Improving Product Tracing along the Food Supply […]
Posted in, Midwest
Meijer Offers Fresh Michigan-Grown Tomatoes Year Round
Meijer says it has something customers have been missing: fresh, vine-ripened Michigan-grown tomatoes year round, even in the middle of winter, thanks to Mastronardi Produce’s state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse in Coldwater, Mich. “Meijer has a longstanding commitment to buying locally grown produce when available as long as the quality meets our high standards,” said Jerry Suter, […]
Posted in, National
Report: Food Recalls Hit Two-Year High In 4Q 2012
Food recalls documented by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforcement reports during the fourth quarter of 2012 reached a two-year quarterly high, according to the ExpertRecall Index released this week. This activity represents an average rate of approximately six food recalls being documented every day in the fourth quarter, affecting some 18.4 million products, […]
Posted in, National
Fresh Foods Panel Represents Whole Supply Chain
Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), moderated a breakfast panel during The NGA Show in Las Vegas earlier this week. Joining him on stage were Allen Milam, owner/president of four-store South Florida grocer, Milam’s Markets; Mike Bove, VP-perishables for Nash Finch Co.; Jan DeLyser, VP of marketing for the California […]
Posted in, National
Silbermann: Produce Takes Center Stage And The Center Of The Plate
There is no question that produce is in the spotlight. It is driving the greatest traffic flow into supermarkets, said Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). He shared several trends in produce on Feb. 11 with attendees at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas. “Whether it’s the […]
Posted in, West
FPFC Holds Membership Luncheon In Cerritos, Calif.
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council hosted its Southern California membership luncheon Wednesday at the Sheraton Cerritos in Cerritos, Calif. In the featured photo at top are John Castillo of IFO Systems N.A. and Sean McClure of Ready Pac. Find more event photos here.
Posted in, Industry News, National
Study: Majority Of Grocery Shoppers Will Pay A Premium For Local Food
Global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney has released a report entitled, “Buying into the Local Food Movement,” a consumer study that assessed how shoppers make decisions about buying local vs. non-local food. The study results clearly show that local food is a trend that consumers have embraced. Across a variety of measures, consumers indicated that […]
Posted in, West
Safeway Foundation Donates Salad Bars To Three Calif. School Districts
The United Fresh Foundation has announced a grant from The Safeway Foundation in Pleasanton, Calif., to support Let’s Move Salad Bars to California Schools. The Safeway Foundation grant will provide salad bars to schools in Hemet, Pleasanton and Ventura Unified School Districts in California and benefit 6,382 students every day by increasing their consumption of […]
Posted in, National
Study: American Consumers Face A ‘Tomato Cliff’
A new pricing study finds that American consumers are facing a “tomato cliff” that will result in huge premiums for fresh tomatoes at the supermarket, or else they will be forced to go without fresh tomatoes, if the U.S. terminates a trade agreement with Mexico at the request of a group of Florida growers. If […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Promotes Chinese New Year Produce
A longtime leader in the specialty Asian produce category, Frieda’s presents its recommendations for retailers to ring in the “Year of the Snake” with a range of products, including Baby Bok Choy, Lemongrass, Oroblancos, Pummelos, Kumquats, Daikon, Young Coconuts, Rambutan, Won Ton Wrappers, Kim Chee and many more. Beginning Feb. 10, Asian cultures around the […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Acme Hosts Grand Reopening Of Hockessin, Del., Store
Acme celebrated the grand reopening of its store at 128 Lantana Dr. in Hockessin, Del., on Friday with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newly remodeled store offers customers an expanded variety of fresh produce, top-quality meat and seafood and a large selection of local products. During the ceremony last week, Acme VP of Operations Dan […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Reichel Expands Dippin’ Stix Line With New Celery, Apple Products
Reichel Foods, a leading fresh-cut healthy snack producer, has introduced new products to its line of Dippin’ Stix products. Celery Stix & Peanut Butter; Celery Stix, Peanut Butter & Raisins; Sliced Apples, Peanut Butter & Chocolate and Sweet Gala Apples with Tajin Seasoning are a full USDA serving size of produce with a dip. There […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Consumers Express Increased Desire For ‘Farm-To-Table’ In 2013
Consumer demand for “farm-to-table” will continue to grow in 2013 if shopper behavior matches responses to new research conducted for Plainville Farms turkey and FreeBird chicken. Shoppers said their motivation for wanting “farm-to-table” products is based on a belief that they are “fresher” (95 percent) and “healthier/more nutritious” (90 percent). More than 80 percent of […]
Posted in, National
Produce Leader Barbra Metheny Passes Away
Produce industry leader Barbra Metheny has died following a long battle with brain cancer. Metheny passed away Jan. 11. She had a prolific career in the produce industry, working at Victoria Farms, Full Sail Produce, Pacific Provisions, JC Produce and, most recently, Fresh Connect, where she was chief sales officer. “Barb was one of the […]
Posted in, National
C.H. Robinson, AARP Unveil Tropicana Clementines Packaging To Fight Hunger
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., one of the world’s largest produce sourcing and logistics companies, has teamed up with AARP and AARP Foundation to support the Drive to End Hunger initiative by offering specially designed packaging on Tropicana clementines at retailers nationwide. Available on three-pound bags and five-pound race CARtons, the packaging will include imagery of […]
Posted in, Southwest
Colorado’s Grant Family Farms Files For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Colorado’s first Certified Organic Farm—Grant Family Farms—has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, The Denver Post reports. “Grant Family Farms is confident that some things are worth saving and believes that this community-supported farm is one of them,” the farm said in a statement. “The Farm is working hard and is hopeful that it will emerge […]
Posted in, National
RPE Introduces Old Oak Farms Brand For Potatoes And Onions
RPE has introduced a new name to its family of brands—Old Oak Farms. This will be the core commodity brand for the company moving forward and will be widely available this year. Encompassing all standard varieties of potatoes and onions, Old Oak Farms is a comprehensive brand. The line includes russet, gold, red, jumbo russet […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
C.H. Robinson Helps Timberwolves Foundation Tip Off Initiative
Through WolvesCare Month, presented by C.H. Robinson, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will turn its attention this January to some of the Wolves’ smallest fans, but those with the biggest hearts: children suffering chronic illnesses. Throughout the month at each Timberwolves game and at events across the community, the FastBreak Foundation’s WolvesCare initiative will work […]
Posted in, National
Industry Reacts To FDA’s Release of Proposed Food Safety Regs
Industry leaders from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh are reacting to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of proposed food safety regulations. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin “The proposed rules—Preventative Controls for Human Food and Produce Safety—are important components to […]