Pomegranate crop expected to be on the light side
By all accounts, the 2005 California pomegranate crop is on the light side and it is running a couple of weeks later than usual.
However, in late August, the crop was still sizing and grower-shippers said that there is a good chance that the larger-sized fruit will make up for the lighter fruit set.
Apparently a combination of rain and heat reduced the set this year and has led to the unusual crop conditions.
Farm Fresh Direct teams with seasoning company on new potato product line
With the Atkins Diet all but laid to rest, potatoes are making new consumer inroads this year, and Farm Fresh Direct LLC of Monte Vista, CO, has teamed up with seasoning giant Lawry's to present a new twist on spud cuisine.
Marketed under the brand "Lawrys Spice n Simple," the new line pairs five-pound bags of Farm Fresh Direct russet potatoes with one of three different flavor packets and recipes on how to prepare the new fare.
Publix to participate in RFID project to test use of data
A six-month RFID project has been launched by the University of Florida's Center for Food Distribution & Retailing in Gainesville, FL, that is designed to actually use the data that are being collected and see how they help supply chain visibility between the supplier and retailer.
Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, FL, has volunteered to be the retailer for this project. All tracked shipments will be received at the Publix distribution center in Lakeland.
VANTAGE POINT: The worst of times for a great American city
It is the job of The Produce News to report news that relates to the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.
As such, the overwhelming majority of our content, both editorial and advertising, focuses directly on the industry.
Rarely do we delve into the broader issues of the world around us, issues which are better left to daily newspapers, magazines, television and radio.
But not always.
Consulate office in Leamington to aid Mexican farmworkers
The government of Mexico held its official opening of a consulate office Aug. 29 in Leamington, ON. The purpose of the office and the staff's assigned functions may well prove to be a lesson for other countries, including the United States.
IPC unveils new 'Idaho' label for potato bags
SUN VALLEY, ID At a meeting held here Aug. 31, the Idaho Potato Commission unveiled a new "Idaho" label that shippers can use at their option on bags of Idaho-grown potatoes.
In announcing the new label, commission President Frank Muir emphasized that it is not mandatory and will not be featured in commission advertising programs, which will focus, rather, on the Grown in Idaho seal. But he said that it makes sense for shippers to use the new Idaho label as an opportunity to market Idaho.
IGA Hometown Wheels' Dream Ride raises $60,000 for charity
CHESHIRE, CT Bozzuto's Inc. and IGA Hometown Wheels held their fifth annual Dream Ride Aug. 21 at the Farmington (CT) Club, raising over $60,000 for Connecticuts Special Olympics program.
Adam J. Bozzuto, founder of Bozzutos, had a dream to build a facility in Connecticut where special children could thrive and experience joy from the opportunities that the facility could provide. For the last five years, Bozzutos, in conjunction with IGA Hometown Wheels and local sponsors, has set forth to make that dream a reality with the annual Dream Ride.
Murai fills interim post for strawberry commission
Santa Ana, CA-based strawberry grower Mark Murai assumed the role of interim president of the California Strawberry Commission, effective Aug. 29.
Mr. Murai, a third-generation Orange County grower and president of Murai Farms, has served on the commission's board of directors for 17 years and led the organization as its chairman of the board from 2002 to 2004. As chairman, he regularly communicated with state, federal and international governments. Prior to accepting the appointment, Mr. Murai was a grower member-at-large with the commission.
FDA warns processors of basil recall
WASHINGTON Federal food safety officials warned processors and repackers about a recall of basil after saying a California company was not doing enough to alert its consignees to the problem.
Majestic International Spice Corp. in Montebello, CA, is recalling its dehydrated Extra Fancy Basil in 12.5-kilogram bags because FDA said that it found the product contaminated with Salmonella Blockley during routine sampling.
Louisiana sweet potatoes appear to have escaped damage from Katrina
Hurricane Katrina's course on Aug. 29 devastated New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama, but the Louisiana sweet potato crop appears unscathed by the ferocious weather event.
Sweet potato shipper Matthew Garber of Garber Farms in Iota, LA, which started shipping new-crop sweet potatoes in mid-August, said Aug. 30 that "the most rain any Louisiana sweet potato field caught was one-and-a-quarter inches. It was pretty much not a big issue [for the Louisiana sweet potato industry]. The crop is fine."