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NEPC holds sixth annual expo in Boston

BOSTON -- The trade show may be the raison d'etre of the New England Produce Council's annual Produce & Floral Expo, but before the opening of the sixth annual gathering, held Wednesday, April 5 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, a number of preliminary events were held.

As in previous years, attendees gathered on the evening before the expo for a cocktail party, held this year at the elegant Omni Parker House.

Redefining specialties by uniqueness, quality, price and trends

"Specialty produce" might be one of the more vague terms used in the fresh produce industry. What defines a specialty produce item and when is it no longer "special?" When does a specialty product become conventional? And who makes these decisions?

Ever since the term "specialty produce" was first used to define a category, it has been impossible for the industry to designate a specific list of commodities to fill it. It is difficult to define because produce items that make the list don't always stay there long.

'More matters' -- PBHs new theme

"Fruit and veggies -- more matters!"

If the experts are right, this phrase could become as ubiquitous as the well know tag lines "Got Milk?" or "Just Do It."

At its annual board meeting in Monterey, CA, March 30 to April 1, the Produce for Better Health Foundation announced its new national action plan to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. At the heart of that plan is the new slogan, which will serve as the brand identity for the fruit and vegetable industry, just as the aforementioned tag lines serve milk producers and the athletic shoemaker Nike respectively.

Melissa's earns PBH award

On Saturday, April 1, the Produce for Better Health Foundation held its National Excellence Award Luncheon in San Francisco to announce the winners of its crystal awards, and Melissa's had the honor of being awarded the Diamond Crystal Award, the highest honor of all the PBH 2005 National Excellence Awards.

Canadian firm rolls out clamshell at CPMA convention

VANCOUVER, BC -- Smart Technology/LLS Canada thinks it may have built a better clamshell, and its own early tests suggest it might be on to something.

Oliver, BC-based Smart Technology rolled out the clamshell at the 81st annual Canadian Produce Marketing Association's convention and exposition, held here March 22-25.

Robert Sanders of Ben B. Schwartz stays on top of the produce game

When it comes to the produce industry, Robert Sanders really knows the ropes.

The 29-year-old salesman and buyer with Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, a wholesaler on the Detroit Union Produce Terminal, has been working in the trade since he was a teenager and has been exposed to the business since he was a preschooler hanging out - and helping out - in his uncle's fruit market.

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