The start of 2014 is particularly reflective for Ready Pac Foods Inc. because it marks the company’s 45th anniversary of providing innovative fresh-cut produce solutions to customers across the country.

The U.S. Cyclocross National Championship cycling races were held in early January at Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, CO, shortly after a snowstorm, strong winds and partial snowmelt that resulted in the perfect combination of cold snowy mud. However, the California Giant Cycling team persevered and brought home a major win.

Naples, FL-based Oakes Farms Inc. recently added ANTHONY HIGH to its team.

High joined the company last year and is the director of operations, handling a full line of products. Prior to joining Oakes Farms, High owned Old Naples Produce Co., also based in Naples.

Lisa A. Fetterhoff, sales associate for Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. in Greencastle, PA, said that the company was blessed with an excellent crop this past fall that should supply its customers with apples throughout the spring.

“Our grower-shipping partners did an excellent job during the harvest season,” said Fetterhoff. “They managed quality going into storage, and since then there have been no noticeable issues as we move into controlled atmosphere storage.”

Kaari Stannard is the president of New York Apple Sales Inc., headquartered in Castleton, NY. She is also a partner in Lake Ontario Fruit Inc. in Albion, NY, and a partner in Pomona Packing in Wolcott, NY.

“New York Apple Sales is the exclusive marketer for Empire Fruit Growers,” said Stannard. “I also own Fish Creek Orchards, and orchard operation in Western New York.”

She said that the New York crop is in very good shape this year in both volume and quality, adding that there are no storage issues.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture's crop production predictions, average potato yield per acre increased during the 2013 season. In an effort to propel this upward trend into the new year, Bayer CropScience launched its Potato Perspectives Survey during Potato Expo in San Antonio Jan. 8-10, 2014.

Bayer CropScience collected insights from tradeshow attendees across the food chain to identify potato trends, opportunities and challenges as the industry prepares for the 2014 season.