PMA president urges the industry to focus on consumers
SALINAS, CA " Bryan Silbermann, president of the Produce Marketing Association, told an audience made up primarily of members of the Salinas Valley produce industry on March 11 that they need to better understand that consumers are driving the marketplace.
What isn?t new, Mr. Silbermann said, is that buyers expect there to be quality. But it's the consumer who defines quality.
?The future won?t be "field to stomach," " Mr. Silbermann said. "It must be "stomach to field." "
California carrot harvest should be similar to last two years
California fresh-market carrot production came in at 20 million cwt. for each of the last two years, and it is projected to stay at the same level for 2005, according to Jerry Munson of the California Fresh Carrot Advisory Board in Dinuba, CA. Over the several years prior, the market for fresh carrots had "steadily increased " mostly due to the expanding baby cut-carrot market," according to a Carrot Advisory Board fact sheet.
Sun Pacific sales representative catches the produce wave
Tommy Hays is still getting his feet wet in the produce industry, but that hasn?t stopped him from diving right in. Mr. Hays, 24, is a member of the sales team at Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative, a grower, packer and shipper of clementines, Navel and Valencia oranges, Minneolas, kiwifruit, Roma tomatoes and table grapes, headquartered in Bakersfield, CA. He works in the main sales office in Los Angeles.
South African mandarin variety set to fill fall marketing window
Two U.S. produce importers recently received South African approval to market a premiere fresh mandarin variety, Afourer.
The importers, Fisher Capespan USA LLC in Gloucester City, NJ, and Seald Sweet LLC in Vero Beach, FL, were appointed by CitroGold (Pty) Ltd. to handle the variety. CitroGold is a South African citrus variety management company based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
United?s food safety and security conference to feature industry and government experts
The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association will offer an expert-led, comprehensive food-safety and security conference as part of the 2005 United Produce Show at FMI, April 30-May 3 in Chicago.
Taking a detailed look at the most important food-safety and security issues affecting the produce industry, the daylong conference will offer expert advice on foodservice and retail expectations; insider analyses of the latest government regulations; and new technologies to boost safety and protect the supply chain.
Task force working to harmonize North American trade
In an increasingly complex produce world, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, based in Ottawa, is leading a highly organized effort to simplify produce trade in North America.
In April 2004, CPMA created the North American Trade Task Force, which met in Ottawa Feb. 24. CPMA President Danny Dempster said that an all-star list of industry leaders is actively engaged in the group.
RETAIL VIEW: Retailers protest skyrocketing transaction fees
In what has to be labeled pure irony, the Food Marketing Institute, on behalf of the nation?s food retailers, is protesting skyrocketing electronic transaction fees which it claims retailers have no control over nor any say in determining the size of that charge levied by banks and credit card companies.
Consumer needs and trends focus of PMA retail conference
Building on the consumer-focused programs it developed throughout 2004, the Produce Marketing Association is continuing that theme into 2005 starting with its Retail Produce Solutions Conference in Monterey, CA. The conference will be held June 2-4; previously announced dates were June 4-6.
Pride of New York launches redesigned web site
The Pride of New York program, the state?s branding program to promote and support agricultural products grown and food products processed within New York state, has launched a newly designed web site to better serve consumers, program members and anyone interested in New York state foods.
The Pride of New York Program?s redesigned web site, www.prideofny.com, now lists more than 1,200 members and offers easy-to-access, searchable information about members and their products. It also provides downloadable membership criteria and marketing information.
Albert's Organics promotes Zeller
Albert?s Organics announced that Mark Zeller has been promoted to sales manager of Albert?s Denver division. He recently joined the company as a project manager.
A 35-year resident of Denver, Mr. Zeller started his produce career as a clerk in 1976 and held a number of different produce positions, including produce and floral merchandiser and director of produce and floral for King Soopers, a Kroger company.