John Gates, president of Lancaster Foods LLC in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News that the company is proud and elated to report that it has received the highest possible level — an A — on its British Retail Consortium, or BRC, food-safety audit.

“We continually strive to stay on the forefront of food safety and in our traceback initiatives,” said Gates. “We are in compliance with the industry-wide traceability initiatives. Our dedication and hard work on our food-safety programs paid off with this BRC audit grade level.”

“Rather than getting stronger, the demand for locally grown produce is more mainstream today,” Tony Vitrano, president of Tony Vitrano Co., located at the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News.

“But for the most case, customers just want the best-quality produce at the best possible price,” he said.

The company has always handled western fruits and vegetables, and while that part of its business remains strong, today it also sources from local growers as well as other growing regions around the country.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association selected RedLine Solutions as the traceability solutions provider for its member sales organizations and growers.

“After several months of discussions, the group has found the RedLine team to be true leaders in the industry who stay knowledgeable about the current requirements as well as those that may become apparent in the future,” Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education for WPVGA, said in a press release.

FoodLink, a leader in supply chain and commerce solutions for the fresh food industry, announced Sept. 18 that Wuhl Shafman Lieberman Co. will implement the company's produce traceability solution on all packed and shipped produce within the United States.

Wuhl Shafman Lieberman, a well-established produce wholesaler based in Newark, NJ, handles a complete line of fruits and vegetables through its fresh-cut produce division, including onions, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, peaches, citrus, grapes and cantaloupes.

ROSHOLT, WI — In the view of Bob Johnson, president of Katz Produce Sales LLC, based here, a somewhat-small size profile, which generally characterizes the 2013 Wisconsin potato crop, tends to suit Midwestern markets.

Johnson noted that large-sized potatoes have a tendency to sell in urban markets, where families lean toward buying only enough large bakers to have with a steak cookout. Midwestern families are inclined to buy larger volumes of small-sized spuds to serve families that tend to be larger, he noted.

ANTIGO, WI — Potato shipper Dave Cofer offers a wide range of potato varieties and packs from his office at Farmers Potato Exchange Inc., located here.

“We have a lot of white potatoes,” he said. “Whites are the largest part of our volume. That keeps a little niche for me.” White potatoes tend to be most-commonly produced in this part of the state, as well as central Wisconsin, he said.