Paramount Citrus, a leading U.S. citrus grower, announced the launch of a new premium California mandarin brand, Wonderful Halos, and revealed plans to spend a record $100 million over the next five years as part of an integrated, national campaign to market the "pure goodness" and uniquely delicious taste of the sweet, seedless, easy-peel fruit.

San Diego-based Coast Tropical built a couple of new packingsheds in Mexico last year, and this year the company is reaping the rewards.

“So far we have had a steady increase in volume all year,” said Isabel Freeland, vice president of the firm. “The quality has been very good. We’ve had a very good crop of Ataulfos, especially.”

Frank Dandrea, president of Dandrea Produce Inc. in Vineland, NJ, told The Produce News that the company is essentially consolidating its position in the New Jersey fruit and vegetable market via the use of its own assets.

“Our high-tech facility and packing line, all the way through to our own farms and our grower-partner participation all contribute to us being able to grow more volumes, to consolidate more efficiently and enables us to service half of the United States,” said Dandrea. “We now ship from Texas to Wisconsin and from Maine to Florida.”

Martin Ley, vice president of Del Campo Supreme Inc. in Nogales, AZ, who has been with the firm for more than two decades, is "moving on from his operational roles for the company" effective May 31 and will "seek new ventures in the next chapter of his life," although he will "continue to assist Del Campo in multiple industry and government projects," according to a letter from Diego Ley, the company's president.

After a slow start to the spring deal following early March freezes, May ended up being a record month for Florida sweet corn. Shipments for the month are up more than 27 percent from average May volume during the previous two years.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to this success. The development of the "Sunshine Sweet" brand has provided retailers with consistently superior quality throughout the spring, and innovative promotional offerings provide members greater flexibility in developing effective programs with their customers.

WASHINGTON — The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance praised Senators June 6 for voting 75-22 to cut off debate on scores of amendments to the 2013 farm bill (S. 954), setting up the bill for a final vote on June 10.

The cloture procedure means the Senate has voted to limit debate on the bill after both parties could not reach a deal on which of the more than 100 amendments to bring up on the Senate floor. The Senate has scheduled a vote on an amendment to set up an Internet pilot project in rural areas followed by a final vote on the bill Monday, starting at 5:30 PM.