“The New York Produce Show is a great way to have one-on-one time with customers all in one place,” said Bryan Patmore, sales executive for Baldor Specialty Foods, headquartered in the Bronx, NY. “It also provides us with an opportunity to meet with shippers to discuss logistic solutions.”

Patmore added that the post-Thanksgiving timing is a good time to hold the show, noting that the holiday time is always a good time to be in New York City, making it a win-win situation for everyone.

“Early December is an exciting time to be in New York City because there are so many holiday related things to see and do when show hours are over,” said Bill Litvin, vice president of sales and national account manager for Giorgio Fresh headquartered in Temple, PA. “We think in addition to the networking opportunities, the timing of the show helps to boost attendance.”

On Nov. 5, Jim DiMenna, president of Red Sun Farms, headquartered in Leamington, Ontario, told The Produce News that the company’s new, cutting-edge hydroponic greenhouse in Dublin, VA, received its organic certification the day prior.

While the produce industry and the federal government have made great strides in protecting the nation's food supply with steps like the Produce Traceability Initiative and the Food Safety Modernization Act, a new study from the University of California-Davis suggests reusable plastic containers may represent a backdoor for contamination.

CHICAGO — With over 1.2 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 2,400 exhibitors, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies Pack Expo International 2014 drew record-breaking crowds of more than 50,000 for the Nov. 2-5 exhibition, here.

It has been a hot, dry summer and autumn in the California desert, and that is considered ideal growing weather for dates. That is “a typical year from a weather standpoint” for the Coachella Valley and “perfect for dates,” said D.J. Ryan, who handles sales for SunDate LLC in Coachella, CA. “They like very hot, dry weather and plenty of water, and we have that. We are able to keep them well irrigated.” That has contributed to an increased crop volume this year.