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  Get the latest information on weather conditions, freight rates and a full range of commodities from The Source, Pro*Act's semi-weekly report.
Oxnard, CA: Daytime highs will be in the low to mid-60s through Feb. 12 with overnight lows in the low to mid-40s. About 0.6 inches of rain is expected Feb. 5, and there is a 30 percent chance of scattered rain Feb. 12. Coachella, CA: Daytime highs will be in the mid- to upper 60s through Feb. 12 with overnight lows in the low 40s. There is a 30 percent chance of light scattered showers Feb. 12. Bakersfield, CA: Daytime highs will be in the low 60s through Feb. 12 with overnight lows in the low 40s. About 0.4 inches of rain is expected over Feb. 5-6. There is a 30 percent chance of more rain developing Feb. 12.
For the full report click here           |
February 9, 2010
  SWEET GATHERING The sweet potato industry convened Jan. 24-26 in Biloxi, MS, for the 48th annual U.S. Sweet Potato Council convention. Click here to view Industry Photo pages.  Click here to view the Floral Marketing section of The Produce News.  For a list of some of the popular industry meetings and other events scheduled to take place over the next few months around the country and abroad, complete with contact information and website links, click here.
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 Scott Salyer arrested in New York and denied bail According to numerous news sources, including The Sacramento Bee, F. Scott Salyer, the former owner of SK Foods and Salyer American Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA, was arrested Feb. 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport after getting off a flight from London. more
 Chilean avocados score touchdown at 2010 Fiesta Bowl The Chilean Avocado Importers Association made the perfect pass to more than 25,000 Boise State University and Texas Christian University fans along with several of the association's VIP invited guests. more Mastronardi Produce receives non-GMO project certification With consumer interest in the genetic modification of fruits and vegetables continuing to mount, Mastronardi Produce has received a certificate of compliance from the Non-GMO Project Verification Program, a standardized program that is based on third-party verification of products following best practices for GMO avoidance. more Ed Baloian to be honored Ed Baloian, chairman of Baloian Farms in Fresno, CA, will be honored Feb. 27 with Ag One's 2010 Community Salute Award in recognition of his more than 60 years of devoted service to the California produce industry and his commitment to his community. more Independent retailers making a strong showing in Kansas City Produce prices are high, business is competitive and independent retailers are prospering in the Kansas City area, according to local industry leaders. more USDA names members to the National Mango Board Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the National Mango Board for three-year terms beginning immediately and ending Dec. 31, 2012. more NWA prepares to 'kick off' domestic watermelon season at annual convention The National Watermelon Association will "kick off" the domestic watermelon season when its 96th annual convention returns to the state of Texas for the first time in 17 years. more Supervalu plans to double the number of Save-A-Lot stores Supervalu Inc., which is one of the larger supermarket companies in the country, has made it known that it plans to nearly double the number of Save-A-Lot stores that it operates over the next five years. Currently, it operates about 1,200 stores from coast to coast in urban, rural and suburban environments. more Paganini Foods LLC files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Paganini Foods LLC, based in Swedesboro, NJ, filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition Feb. 1 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey, under case No. 10-13006. more California strawberry acreage statewide slips back to 2008 levels Reduced strawberry acreage statewide — most notably in Southern California other than the Oxnard district — combined with inclement weather in January, has foreshadowed what projected to be a disappointing Valentine's Day pull for grower-shippers in the Southern California strawberry deal. more Strawberries remain popular at retail despite high prices Despite strawberries commanding high prices at retail, consumers aren't exactly heading for the exits. more
 Fuel prices expected to rise in 2010 and 2011 By Tim Linden Diesel fuel prices are not expected to climb to the dizzying heights reached in 2008, but after declining in 2009, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has predicted increases over the next two years.
In 2009, diesel prices averaged $2.46 per gallon, but the EIA has predicted a $2.98 average price per gallon for 2010, which would represent a 21 percent increase. Obviously, if that is the average, rates above $3 per gallon will be common. In 2011, the EIA has projected a much smaller increase of less than 3.5 percent, as the average per-gallon cost for diesel is expected to climb to $3.14.
Tracie Levin in the family business for the long haul
She noted that her great-grandfather Mike Levin was just such an immigrant when he arrived from Lithuania. In 1906, he began supporting his family by selling produce from a pushcart in Philadelphia, as is essentially the case with M. Levin's customers in 2009. Ms. Levin, who is 25, has also grasped the fact that she has an opportunity to be "a lot more than 'Tracie in Philadelphia.' I want to get out and be a part of the produce industry." Her work toward that goal is well underway. |
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