Richard Sambado, director of domestic sales for Primavera Marketing Inc. in Linden, CA, told The Produce News that the movement on the company’s California apple crop started around July 20, which is about the same timing as last year.

 “But that was seven days earlier that the crop started the year before,” said Sambado.  “An early start can also mean slow movement at the start. Imported apples are still moving and Washington still has some old crop Gala apples on the market.

Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its board of directors — after careful consultation with its legal and financial advisors — unanimously determined that the unsolicited buyout offer from the Cutrale Group and the Safra Group is inadequate and not in the best interests of Chiquita shareholders.

Truck fleet operators around the country are equipping their trucks with state-of-the-art tracking systems that allow customers to quickly see where those trucks are as they travel across the nation with freight.

“But what about the owner-operators?” asked Paul Kazan, founder and president of Target Interstate Systems, which is located on the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, NY. “They aren’t putting these expensive systems on their trucks. They know where their truck is. They are in it.”

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN, has established a solid reputation for keeping fresh produce at the peak of perfection, thereby exceeding customer expectations.

“Since C.H. Robinson was founded in 1905, the company has been in the fresh produce business, and much of the company’s logistics expertise can be traced to significant experience in handling produce and other perishable items,” said Bob Biesterfeld, vice president of North American Truckload at the company.

G&D Wallace/Wallace Farms will commence its potato harvest around Sept. 8. Jack Wallace, co-owner and sales manager, said all indications point to a very successful year. “This has been a good growing season,” he told The Produce News in mid-August. “We had a good weather window for planting, and the summer has been nice as well.”

On Aug. 6, Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, explained to The Produce News that in 2001, in response to inquiries from the foodservice community, the company became involved in growing and shipping heirloom tomatoes.

“Chefs have been and continue to seek heirlooms for their intense tomato flavor, unique shapes and appealing colors,” said Eagle. “We are still shipping heirlooms. Our tomato line includes baby heirlooms, baby beefsteaks and other specialty tomatoes, such as yellow tomatoes.”