PMA releases safe produce handling messages in Spanish
Since 1998, the Produce Marketing Association, based in Newark, DE, has addressed food safety at the consumer level through its financial support of the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to educating consumers at home and at work about safe food handling.
During PMA?s Fresh Summit 2004 in Anaheim, CA, PMA and the PFSE unveiled produce-specific safe handling messages for consumers; now, these valuable consumer-education tools have been released in Spanish.
2005 Mexican grape season looking similar to banner 2003 season
Last year was not a particularly good year for Mexican grapes, according to shippers and distributors in Nogales, AZ, who handle the products. Volume was down, and quality was problematic at times. But two years ago was another matter. That, they say, was a banner year, with a combination of strong volume and outstanding quality that resulted in strong demand. This year, there is an air of optimism among marketers of Mexican grapes as it appears that the 2005 crop will be very similar to 2003 with regard to both volume and quality.
Reinvigorated Vidalia Onion Committee stays focused on consumers
VIDALIA, GA " "My focus and the focus of the committee is the consumer, and if they ask their produce manager for Vidalias, they will bring them in," said Jeffery Hall, manager of the Vidalia Onion Committee, here.
And he has big plans to reach consumers, making heavy use of television appearances and magazine coverage.
CMI grower Apple Citizen of the Year
Columbia Marketing International, a Wenatchee, WA-based distributor of premium-quality apples, pears and cherries, has announced that Mike Wade, general manager of Columbia Fruit Packers, has been named this year?s Apple Citizen of the Year.
The award began in 1981; the recipient is chosen by a group of apple industry representatives.
Pro*Act names Steve Finberg its new VP of sales and marketing
PRO*ACT, a Monterey, CA-based leading fresh produce supplier to the foodservice industry, announced that it has appointed Steve Finberg vice president of sales and marketing.
He will assume these responsibilities from Brad Young, who recently stepped down to assume leadership of Incredible Fresh in Naples, FL, one of PRO*ACT?s 44 distribution companies.
Albertsons' vice president to speak at PMA RFID Academy
The Produce Marketing Association announced that John Raudabaugh, vice president of systems implementation for Albertsons, will discuss the implementation and benefits of radio frequency identification technology and discuss his expectations of how the growth of this technology will affect members of the produce supply chain during PMA?s RFID Fresh Produce Academy & Expo on June 2 in Monterey, CA.
This event is scheduled in conjunction with the June 2-4 PMA Retail Produce Solutions Conference, also in Monterey.
Honduras' vegetable exports expanding as country still recovers from Mitch
Mauro Suazo has struggled to recover from Hurricane Mitch since the storm dumped up to four feet of rain on Honduras between Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 1998. Always an active industry leader, Mr. Suazo has served as a consultant for Honduras' Department of Agriculture. He headed the Central American Melon Conference, hosted by Honduras, last summer.
Speaking with The Produce News April 5 about Honduras? status in post-Mitch redevelopment, and the progress of Honduran produce exports, Mr. Suazo provided a mixed review.
In South Carolina, Columbia State Farmers Market to be relocated
COLUMBIA, SC " Hugh Weathers, South Carolina?s commissioner of agriculture, announced that plans are coming together for relocating the Columbia State Farmers Market.
The market has been located on a 50-acre site here on Bluff Road since the fall of 1951. It ranks second in the nation behind the Atlanta market and seventh in the United States and Canada in the volume of produce handled.
Pride of New York features members in ad campaign
The Pride of New York Program?s marketing campaign, entitled "Portraits in Pride," promotes consumer awareness of the Pride of New York brand through the generations of family farms and food processors that have made New York state one of America?s leading suppliers of food and agricultural products.
Industry's "badge of honor" celebrating its 100th year
Since 1901, The Blue Book has been considered the financial bible by members of the produce industry, who refer to it for comprehensive information regarding current and prospective clients and business partnerships. In 1905, The Blue Book, published by the Produce Reporter Co. in Carol Stream, IL, implemented its Trading Membership designation as a way to recognize firms that have demonstrated themselves to be financially sound and in possession of an exceptional reputation for honest trading policies and payment practices.