Proposed mango grade standards to be issued
It appears that there is close to universal agreement that inconsistent quality plagues mango exports to the United States and what is truly needed is some type of grade standard. Currently, there are no grade standards for mangos.
However, that situation appears to be headed toward resolution as a spokesman for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service?s Fruit & Vegetable Programs told The Produce News March 2 that a proposed grade standard for mangos would be published in the Federal Register within a matter of days.
Perchlorate a water issue, not an ag issue, says PMA
NEWARK, DE " With the U.S. government and the agriculture industry grappling with the issue of acceptable perchlorate levels in agricultural products, the produce industry is keeping an eye on developments as they pertain to the products produced by the nation?s fruit and vegetable growers.
Epic Roots gets into St. Patrick?s spirit
What looks a heck-of-a-lot like a four-leaf clover? Epic Roots m?che rosettes.
Traditional St. Patrick?s Day cooking is heavy on meat and potatoes. Epic Roots has developed a recipe that is among the first to offer a healthy greens option. The recipe for lucky m?che salad features Epic Roots? m?che, asparagus, blue cheese and red cabbage with light vinaigrette, giving the retailer the option to cross-merchandise three produce items.
Pears listed as top fiber source in new Dietary Guidelines
PORTLAND, OR " Eating just one juicy fresh pear with the skin is a good way to obtain a good portion of the recommended daily fiber requirements, according to the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
At about the size of a tennis ball, one medium-sized pear has nearly five grams of fiber or about 17 percent of the recommended daily intake for most adults.
SALINAS SCENE: Colorful Harvest rolls out Kid Crunch carrots
Monterey, CA-based Colorful Harvest LLC is rolling out several new carrot products, and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo & Seminars in Anaheim, CA, March 8 provided an opportunity for retailers to get a first look at all the new items.
The products drew excellent response from retailers, said Doug Ranno, partner and chief operating officer for Colorful Harvest. Huell Howser, host of the PBS television show "California?s Gold," took an interest as well, Mr. Ranno said. "California?s Gold? airs on all PBS affiliates in California.
Big turnout for FPFC Expo
ANAHEIM, CA " With an earlier-than-usual date for its annual event and the excitement generated by the fact it will be the focus of a future PBS television special, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo, held March 8 at the Disneyland Hotel, here, attracted approximately 1,000 industry professionals.
Green Tree International hires Mike Prather, opens eastern office
Cary Crum, director of sales and marketing at Green Tree International Inc. in Visalia, CA, has announced that Mike Prather, formerly senior category manager of produce for southeastern retailer Bruno?s Inc., has joined Green Tree as director of business development, a newly created position.
Mr. Prather will be based in Helena, AL, where Green Tree will open an office in late March.
Gov. Schwarzenegger takes aim at junk foods in school
The fresh-cut produce industry wasted no time in praising California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for remarks he made at a recent press event calling for a ban on junk foods in school vending machines and stressing the need to replace them with nutritious fruits and vegetables.
PMA applying to boost Mexican produce handling
NEWARK, DE " The Produce Marketing Association, here, will submit an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding that would ultimately develop the Mexican market for U.S. fresh produce exports.
Nancy Tucker, PMA?s vice president for global business development, told The Produce News March 7 that the PMA proposal is to USDA?s Emerging Markets Program, which is a subset of USDA?s Marketing Assistance Project.
Marriott adds another branch to family's lineage at Family Tree
For Duncan Marriott, a rising star at Family Tree Farms in Reedley, CA, the decision to make the produce industry his career was an easy one. ?I was born into it " I didn?t have a choice," the 28-year-old commodity broker said with a laugh. "And don?t get me wrong " I love it." Mr. Marriott can trace his produce roots back well over 100 years, and his personal family tree branches into many areas of the business.