Michael Shapiro, part of the sales team at Weis-Buy Farms Inc. in Fort Myers, FL, said it’s hard to talk about marketplace dynamics for fresh produce during the winter without talking about weather impacts.

“The misery index in the northeastern and midwestern United States came close to a record this year,” he told The Produce News.

Weis-Buy Farms is a grower, shipper and broker of all fruits and vegetables.

“We specialize in tomatoes of all kinds, peppers, cucumbers and squash,” he added. “If the produce is fresh, Weis-Buy can find it for our customers.”

The early cherry deal in the southern and central San Joaquin Valley of California will have an earlier start than usual this year, by as much as two weeks, not only giving producers more time to market the crop but also giving retailers at least one extra holiday for promotions.

The 2014 Fresno Food Expo, presented by Union Bank, announced the return of the highly anticipated Fresno Food Expo New Product Awards, presented by Baker Peterson Franklin CPA LLP. These awards showcase innovative products and packaging solutions from California's San Joaquin Valley.

Five Crowns Marketing is one of only two U.S. growers licensed to bring retailers the Origami cantaloupe, which is hitting stores in May. It is being harvested out of the Imperial Valley and will be available through the beginning of July.

PLEASANTON, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council held its eight annual Northern California Expo April 9 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, here, drawing more than 600 people from the produce and floral trade.

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“The Mexican grape deal overall looks like a good crop,” according to Basile Kanaris, national sales manager at Unifrutti of America, Inc., which is based in Philadelphia.

Kanaris said April 9 that Unifrutti would begin shipping Perlettes from Mexico in the range of April 28-30. “We’ll have a good crop of Flames that will start in the first week of May.”

He added that Sugraones from Hermosillo will begin May 18.

Unifrutti will also be shipping black Mexican grapes this spring.