California asparagus growers "cautiously optimistic?
While 2004 was considered a "salvageable? year for California asparagus growers, it appears that 2005 needs to match or better that result to keep some growers from throwing in the towel on the crop. But favorable weather conditions " including sufficient rain and ample chill hours " and an aggressive promotion program have growers cautiously optimistic about the 2005 season.
President Bush elevates immigration reform debate during State of the Union
WASHINGTON " Grower-based organizations are hoping that President Bush?s call for action on immigration reform during the State of the Union address will help Congress pass long-awaited reforms for the agriculture guest worker program.
?Those of us in agriculture who have been pleading for immigration reform are heartened by the president?s courageous call to action and we are optimistic that a solution can be found to solve the immigration crisis," said Tom Nassif, president of Western Growers Association in Irvine, CA.
Super sweet claim leaves sour taste with some melon importers
In a recent press release about its new fresh-cut melon line, Fresh Express Inc. in Salinas, CA, claims that it uses Chilean fruit because it is "far sweeter than the cantaloupe or honeydew usually offered in the United States during the winter." That statement, and other language contained in the release, has left a sour taste in the mouths of a number of melon importers and marketers.
Top management change has FDI going in a new direction
Mike Browne, president, CEO and founding partner of Fresh Directions International in Ventura, CA, is no longer part of the company?s management, but he retains his 25 percent interest in the business, according to Manuel Castillo Jr., the son of the majority partner who is "helping out through the transition? until a replacement is named.
Bab? Farms and Phillip Moreland part ways
Santa Maria, CA-based Bab? Farms Inc. and Phillip Moreland, the company?s vice president of sales and marketing, have come to an amicable parting as of Feb. 1.
Greg Pedigo, president of Bab? Farms, told The Produce News Feb. 7, that he and Mr. Moreland mutually agreed to the split. "It wasn?t the right fit," Mr. Pedigo said. "I consider him a friend and would recommend him [for employment]."
Florida on an aggressive campaign to spur movement of tomatoes
The Florida tomato industry has launched a campaign designed to reach consumers with the message that there is no shortage of tomatoes from the Sunshine State.
The effort includes participation from virtually every segment of the tomato industry " from suppliers to trade associations to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and even to retailers.
Why people might think there is a shortage " and a subsequent increase in retail prices " is due to a chain of events that has occurred over the past six months.
Frieda?s Inc. brings back Waterbabies for 2005
Los Alamitos, CA-based Frieda?s Inc. is bringing back its Waterbabies personal-sized watermelons.
Exclusively from Frieda?s, Waterbabies are grown in Panama. The company introduced Waterbabies to the industry last April.
The solid, bright-green, smooth-skin melons are round in shape and approximately eight inches in size. The melons are seedless and sweet with a high Brix content. Each melon is labeled with serving suggestions and a PLU number.
Last year the melons sold well at retail.
CTFA renews contract with FreshLook Marketing Group
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL " FreshLook Marketing Group, a leading supplier of marketing research information to the perishables industry, announced that the California Tree Fruit Agreement in Reedley, CA, has renewed its contract and will continue to rely on FreshLook to provide detailed distribution, sales and pricing information on fresh peaches, plums and nectarines.
New look at Walla Walla web site
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, headquartered in Walla Walla, WA, recently debuted a new-and-improved web site (www.sweetonion.org) that provides consumer information, links to shippers? web sites, a recipe database and a historical look at the region?s most famed onion.
According to Kathy Fry, director of marketing for the committee, the site not only looks different but it also "allows visitors to access information more easily."
Flowers an important growth area for Wal-Mart
?Two to three years ago, Wal-Mart executives decided they wanted to grow their cut-flower and bouquet business," said Jennifer Springer, merchandising manager for Wal-Mart?s national floral program.
The company recognized that the grocery portion of its chain was where the floral was best placed.
Wal-Mart placed its focus on cash-and-carry cut flowers, and set goals to deliver the best value to its customers with the highest-quality flowers at the best-possible price.