Alex Ott named executive director of the California Apple Commission
FRESNO, CA " Alex Ott, director of government relations for the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, has been named to head the California Apple Commission, here.
His selection was approved by the commission?s board of directors at a March 7 meeting, according to Kenton Kidd, who will be retiring as president of the commission on April 1. Mr. Ott?s title will be executive director.
Eric Kimes brings Latin American life experience to work
Eric Kimes spent his formative years in Guatemala from age seven to 17 learning about melons from his father. It was an education that comes in handy today. Eric?s father, Michael Kimes, "has been a grower of melons for 20 years in Latin America," with much experience selling fruit into the export market, Mr. Kimes said. Together, father and son launched Continental Produce in February 2004, with a lone office in Carmel, CA. Mr. Kimes? sister, Michele, also works for the company as sales coordinator.
U.S. Potato Board assessment to rise
After reviewing results of the U.S. Potato Board?s domestic and international marketing programs and discussing the future of those programs on budgets that have been static for more than 20 years, board members voted during the board?s annual meeting March 19 to increase the assessment.
Eighty-eight percent supported the funding increase from 2 cents per cwt. to 2.5 cents per cwt., with a delayed start date of March 1, 2006.
Cornell study: Apples could reduce risk of breast cancer
An apple a day can help keep breast cancer away, according to a study published recently by food scientists at Cornell University.
It's the latest in a series of new university research from around the world supporting the dramatic health benefits of eating apples.
?We found that tumor incidence was reduced by 17, 39 and 44 percent in rats fed the human equivalent of one, three or six apples a day, respectively, over 24 weeks," said Rui Hai Liu, Cornell associate professor of food science at the university?s agricultural experiment station in Geneva, NY.
New role for Norma Standerford
Syngenta Seeds Inc./?Rogers? brand vegetables has announced that Norma Standerford has taken on a newly created role as strategic account manager, responsible for focusing breeders on traits beyond the grower and developing products designed specifically for markets by understanding the requirements of downstream customers.
Ms. Standerford will initially be addressing needs in the fresh-cut processor segment.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide and its employees contribute $90,000 to tsunami relief efforts
MINNEAPOLIS " In response to the unprecedented natural disaster in Southeast Asia, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. and its employees have donated $90,000 to tsunami relief efforts. C.H. Robinson matched 100 percent of its employees? contributions, which totaled $45,000.
Beloved children's book character headlines latest family 5 A Day retail event
Peter Rabbit is hopping on 5 A Day The Color Way this spring, and he wants children and their families to join him in eating more healthfully.
The beloved Beatrix Potter bunny and his family had kids hopping in the produce aisles over the prospect of eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables when they visited Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets across the country March 12. The "Hop on 5 A Day The Color Way? promotion was sponsored by the nonprofit educational Produce for Better Health Foundation, Wal-Mart and 14 health-minded suppliers.
Growers review season and success of co-op at California Citrus Showcase
VISALIA, CA " It has been a little more than two years since California citrus growers, fed up with losing money year after year, banded together in a voluntary cooperative called the California Citrus Growers Association, with the objective of returning their industry to profitability.
"Back doing what I love doing," Chef Tony resumes consulting business
Easily one of the more recognizable figures in the produce industry owing to his three decades in the business, Tony Merola will again be on the seminar circuit as the principal of Merola Marketing Group Inc., his Weston, FL-based consulting company that looks to educate the foodservice and retail segments of the industry on ways to best handle and use fruits and vegetables.
SPC attendees tour strawberry facility and fields
TAMPA, FL " Attendees of the Southeast Produce Council?s recent conference and expo had an opportunity to visit a strawberry laboratory and private company to gain insight into what it takes to produce the high-quality product that Florida is known for.
The council?s second annual Retail & Foodservice Conference and Expo took place March 10-12 here, close to the Plant City-Dover area of the state known as the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World," so it was a natural that the council dubbed this part of the event the "very berry field tours."