Nathel & Nathel has expanded its Hunts Point operation considerably in the past year, having bought four units previously owned by Krisp-Pak. “This gives us 22-and-a-half units,” Ira Nathel, owner and president of Nathel & Nathel Inc., located in the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market, said. “We will dedicate the space to a potato and onion division, which will round out our offerings nicely. We have fruit, vegetable, tomato and strawberry divisions, and now we’ll have potatoes and onions, which will give us a full line of the most desirable produce items.”

Bulk produce always had a certain farm-fresh feel over the years in retail produce departments. A good example of this has been demonstrated at local farmers markets, where an array of produce is displayed in bulk, with the sense that it was just picked from the field and rushed to the stand.

This old traditional method of merchandising fruits and vegetables has been in existence for hundreds of years. Many retailers still prefer displaying bulk produce primarily to showcase the freshness and natural colors.

Nathel & Nathel has expanded its Hunts Point operation considerably in the past year, having bought four units previously owned by Krisp-Pak.

The St. Louis Produce Market plans to unveil its new website (www.stlouisproducemarket.com) in early May. Market Manager Pat Kelley said the site will capture the flavor of the market “then and now,” giving individuals and businesses an opportunity to find out more about the celebrated location.

“We will have some interesting stuff,” Mr. Kelley told The Produce News on May 2. “Our board is revitalizing the market.” The launch will also anticipate the celebration of 60 years of operation for the market in 2013.

The mild winter and spring this year brought almost all crops in earlier than normal, and that includes the spring apple tree bloom in New York. But in late April, a sudden cold snap may have had a not so great effect on the early blooms.

BrightFarms Inc. is building a greenhouse in partnership with J&J Distributing in Saint Paul, MN. BrightFarms finances, builds and operates greenhouses, partnering with supermarkets and distribution centers to sell locally grown, sustainable produce. J&J Distributing supplies wholesale fruits and vegetables to retailers throughout the Twin Cities.