Fresh Express launches new line in fresh-cut category
SALINAS, CA Fresh Express, based here, has introduced "Baby Blends," a first-ever line in the industry's fresh- cut category.
According to the company, the blends of lettuces and greens in the new baby segment are harvested when theyre at the peak of tenderness, color and nutrition and feature distinct flavors and contrasting textures.
Central American exports damaged by Hurricane Stan
In addition to killing more than 1,000 Guatemalans, Hurricane Stan inflicted a great deal of damage to the country's produce exports when it hit Oct. 4-5, according to Martin Maldonado, a native Guatemalan and an importer for Team Produce International Inc. in Miami.
Brazilian grapes to be available in late October
PHILADELPHIA The season's first imported Brazilian grapes arrived in Philadelphia Oct. 7-8, according to Tom Leonardi of Fresh Taste Produce USA & Associates Inc., here.
About nine or 10 U.S. receivers had fruit on the ship, which was being held for 15 days at Lucca Cold Storage in Mullica Hill, NJ, per USDA phytosanitary requirements for cold treatment. Mr. Leonardi said that the first Brazilian grapes will be on the market about Oct. 26. These grapes are the Festival variety of Sugraone.
Minnesota finds <i>E. coli</i> in lettuce bags
WASHINGTON Minnesota officials are calling it the "smoking gun." For the first time, a laboratory has found E. coli O157:H7 in two bags of prepackaged lettuce in connection to the Dole lettuce recall.
In Minnesota, 23 people have become sick because of an E. coli outbreak linked to bagged salads. State health officials began investigating reports of E. coli O157:H7 disease and followed the trail to prepackaged Dole lettuce purchased from at least four different Rainbow Foods grocery stores in the Twin Cities area Sept. 13-16.
Florida citrus crop rebounds, but industry faces slow, uncertain recovery
While the Florida citrus industry got a spot of good news Oct. 12 with the release of the 2005-06 citrus crop forecast, the beleaguered industry still has a long way to go toward recovery in the face of the devastating canker and citrus greening plights.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that it expects the state's orange crop to produce 190 million boxes during the coming season 27 percent more than the 149.6 million boxes produced last year.
Dandrea Produce increases stature in Chilean fruit deal
Dandrea Produce will double its Chilean fruit volume this year as the result of the acquisition of a 50 percent interest in a partnership between a Chilean grower and a U.S.-based importer.
According to Steve Dandrea, who is involved in sales for Landisville, NJ-based Dandrea Produce, his company acquired a 50 percent share in the partnership between importer Andes River in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Copefrut, a grower based in Chile. Mr. Dandrea said that Copefrut is one of Chile's larger growers of stone fruit, apples and cherries, and it also handles grapes and kiwifruit.
Texas survives Rita, but freight rates delivering severe blow
While the Texas produce industry avoided a direct hit from last month's Hurricane Rita, there are short- and long-term effects from that storm as well as Hurricane Katrina, said John McClung of the Texas Produce Association.
"We lost no crops or acreage," said Mr. McClung, and the hurricane didnt disrupt any immediate shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, he said that the imports that typically come into Texas enter by truck via the southern border with Mexico, which also wasnt affected by Hurricane Rita.
William Garin, a top promoter of Iceberg lettuce, dead at 84
William Garin, heralded as one the early and top promoters of Iceberg lettuce, died of natural causes Oct. 9 at his home in Salinas, CA. He was 84.
No rush to fill IBA post
There will be no rush to fill the position recently vacated by Tim Debus, who recently resigned from the International Banana Association to take a position with IFCO Systems.
The IBA contracted with United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association in Washington, DC, to manage the banana group when Robert Moore retired in 1999 after heading the IBA for decades.
PMA research reveals retailers biting into foodservice territory
Produce Marketing Association research shows that overall, 43 percent of consumers said that they purchase prepared meals from their supermarket.
Moreover, 30 percent of consumers say they make more of those purchases today than they did a year ago, replacing what they would have traditionally purchased at a restaurant.