How do you top an award-winning performance by a celebrity chef at PMA’s Fresh Summit? You bring two celebrity chefs, according to the California Avocado Commission (CAC). The CAC has put together a plan for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit, to be held Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, Calif., designed to deliver an informative […]
Tag: produce
Posted in, Center Store, National
Dole To Sell Worldwide Packaged Foods, Asia Fresh Produce Businesses
Dole Food Co. Inc. has signed a definitive agreement with ITOCHU Corp. for the sale of Dole’s worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh produce businesses for $1.685 billion in cash. This proposed transaction results from Dole’s previously announced strategic business review process, and is subject to Dole stockholder approval and customary regulatory approvals in multiple […]
Posted in, National
Stores Recall Mangos, Products Containing Mangos
Giant Food of Landover, Md., following a voluntary recall by Splendid Products, has removed from sale Daniella mangos due to possible salmonella contamination. The following product, purchased between July 12 and Aug. 24 is included in this recall: Daniella mangos, PLU 4959 Giant Food is aware of illnesses reported in Canada and associated with this […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
Giumarra Welcomes New West Coast Sales Hire
The Giumarra Cos. has added James Paul to its West Coast avocado and asparagus sales staff. Paul is a graduate of California Polytechnic University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in international business management. He comes to Giumarra with sales and marketing experience with Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc., based in Stockton, Calif., […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Farm Bill Now Coalition Plans To Fight For New Farm Bill
With Congress on August recess until Sept. 10 and the Farm Bill left unfinished, members of the agricultural community have formed a coalition, Farm Bill Now. As of Aug. 23, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has joined 39 of the nation’s foremost agricultural organizations to rally the public to urge Congress to pass a […]
Posted in, National, West
Nassif Named National Chair on Romney’s Farmers and Ranchers Coalition
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his Farmers and Ranchers for Romney coalition Wednesday, naming Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers, one of six national chairs of the coalition. “I’m honored to have so many farmers and ranchers standing with my campaign,” Mitt Romney said. “They are the backbone of America and play a […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Meijer Opens New Marketplace Store In Chicago’s Berwyn Community
Nearly one year after launching its first new format store in the Chicago market, Meijer Marketplace, Meijer delivers another new store to its Chicago-area customers as it officially cuts the ribbon on Meijer Marketplace Berwyn, located in Cermak Plaza. “We are very pleased to continue our growth in Chicagoland,” said Hank Meijer, co-chairman of the […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Campbell Completes Acquisition of Bolthouse Farms
Campbell Soup Co. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Bolthouse Farms from a fund managed by Madison Dearborn Partners LLC, a private equity firm, for $1.55 billion in cash. Campbell funded the acquisition through a combination of short- and long-term borrowings. Headquartered in Bakersfield, Calif., Bolthouse is a vertically integrated food and […]
Posted in, National
How To Wash Cantaloupes And Other Melons
by Mary Lou Chapman/president of the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association Special to The Shelby Report All fresh produce should be washed well before eating. Last year’s extremely unfortunate cantaloupe incident reminds us that not all customers follow this advice. Grocers can play a role in helping consumers feel confident that they can purchase melons, […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Equipment & Technology, National, Organic Natural, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Debuts ‘Grow!’ Online Today
Whole Foods Market has announced that “Grow!” will debut online this month as part of the company’s Do Something Reel Film Festival. In addition, this month marks the beginning of a partnership with digital entertainment curator, FilmBuff, which will bring the films featured through the festival to a larger audience through multi-platform distribution. “Grow!”, written […]
Posted in, West
Actor J.R. Martinez Speaks To FPFC
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) met July 17 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. American actor and season 13 winner of “Dancing with the Stars” J.R. Martinez served as the event’s keynote speaker. In March 2003, Martinez was deployed to Iraq and, on April 5—less than a month into his service—he was […]
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Spartan-Hosted ‘Fresh Experience’ Sells Out
In the food industry, everyone’s looking for the next hot product and the newest food trend. But where does this all originate? What sparks a trend, captures a palate, alters our diet—and kitchen habits—and launches a new (or improved) food product? Long before products hit the grocers’ shelves, thousands of hours of research, agricultural engineering, […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Organic Alliance Signs $5.3M Produce Supply Contract
Organic Alliance, a global grower and marketer of fresh, organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables, signed an organic produce supply contract that it expects will generate $5.3 million to $6 million in sales revenue. The contract is with a Northern Mexico-based, family-owned grower of certified organic produce with more than 10 years of experience […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Southwest, Suppliers
FoodLink Expands Online Network with United Supermarkets
Texas-based United Supermarkets has selected buying platform FoodLink® as the primary system for sourcing and purchasing all fresh produce across more than 50 stores. “United Supermarkets is a fantastic addition to the FoodLink network,” said Eric Peters, CEO, FoodLink Online. FoodLink is a buying platform that connects all of the participants in the fragmented perishable […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Organic Alliance Issues Special Letter To Shareholders
Organic Alliance Inc., a global grower, shipper and distributor of fresh foods focusing on organic and Fair Trade agriculture, has issued the following special letter to shareholders: Dear Shareholder: It is my privilege to report that Organic Alliance Inc. (ORGC) has reached the critical mass needed to solidify its market position in the $29.2 billion […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Unified CEO: It’s Probably Time To ‘Redefine’ Center Store
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer While perimeter store sales have seen a substantial uptick in recent years, perhaps taking away from purchases consumers would normally make in the center store, Al Plamann says the center store category shouldn’t be dismissed as a disappearing one. Rather, he notes, the definition of center store simply needs updating. Plamann, […]
Posted in, West
James Beard Market Deal Approved for Portland
The James Beard Public Market in Portland, Ore., is just weeks away from closing an agreement to secure a site at the Morrison Bridge, the Portland Business Journal reports. The Multnomah County Commission voted 4-0 last week to approve the $10.4 million sale of a three-acre parking lot on the west side of the Morrison […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Safeway Expands Reusable Shipping Container Use to Produce
Safeway has transitioned to using reusable product containers (RPCs), rather than corrugated boxes, to ship many types of produce from the farm fields, through the distribution channel and to final store destination. This transition eliminated the use of more than 17 million pounds of corrugated boxes. Safeway, which has introduced a broad range of successful […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
UltraFreshSystem Packaging Available for Fresh-Cut Produce
South Carolina-based packaging company Sonoco, California-based manufacturer Paper Pak Industries and packaging and St. Louis-based supplies distribution company Bunzl Distribution have introduced the UltraFreshSystem for packaging fresh-cut produce. The UltraFreshSystem features a custom-designed, thermoformed Sonoco tray combined with an UltraZapXtendaPak food safety pad from Paper Pak Industries. The tray includes an insert to channel liquid […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Suppliers
Sonoco Introduces UltraFreshSystem For Fresh-Cut Produce
Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies; Paper Pak Industries, a leading manufacturer of absorbent mediums for the food industry; and Bunzl Distribution, a global packaging and supplies distribution company, are introducing the UltraFreshSystem for packaging fresh-cut produce. The UltraFreshSystem features a custom-designed, thermoformed Sonoco tray combined with an UltraZapXtendaPak food safety pad […]