Rains in late August followed a wonderful growing season for Michigan pumpkins, according to Henry DeBlouw V, president of Mike Pirrone Produce.

On Sept. 2, DeBlouw indicated that the crop continued to “look good,” despite “rain here and there.”

The firm is located in Capac, in southeast Michigan, where it grows pumpkins. Mike Pirrone also ships for independent growers of pumpkins and ornamental pumpkins. DeBlouw expects to ship 450 loads of pumpkin this fall.  

MINNEAPOLIS — The SpartanNash Fall Food Show drew more than 400 attendees to the Convention Center, here, Aug. 27-28. The buying event brought together vendors and suppliers, exhibiting in more than 250 booths, with retail buyers from SpartanNash's six Midwestern distribution centers. Jack Morris, five-time all-star MLB starting pitcher, made a special guest appearance on Aug. 27, signed autographs and posed for pictures with his fans.

South African summer citrus has expanded is arrival destinations with a pilot program to include the port of Houston. A shipment of seven containers has been successfully received there and will be followed by another four containers scheduled to arrive on or around Sept. 9. Both shipments contain Navel oranges.

“We promote limes year- round,” Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group headquartered in River Edge, NJ, told The Produce News.

“For the first time this year we are testing the one-pound sleeve of ‘Mojito’ brand limes,” he said.

“We introduced the sleeve earlier this year, and we feel that it will open new space on produce departments’ retail shelves. So far the response has been great, and we hope to make it a wide-spread offering in the future.”

Vision Import Group continues with its popular two-pound bags of “Mojito” brand limes.

DNE World Fruit LLC distributes summer citrus throughout the United States and some Caribbean countries. Kathy Hearl, marketing promotions manager for the Fort Pierce, FL-based company said that during the New England Produce Council Produce & Floral Expo 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa on Sept. 11, DNE World Fruit will be promoting its line of summer citrus at Booth No. 308.

Midwestern retailer Meijer is preparing to hire thousands of new team members for its stores as the growing company prepares for the fall and holiday selling seasons, announced Janet Emerson, executive vice president of operations for the Grand Rapids, MI-based retailer.

“Meijer is always looking for good people,” Emerson said in a press release. “Our continued growth provides a great opportunity to find new team members who will help deliver on the Meijer promise of providing exceptional customer service.”