With finalization of an agreement May 3, an exclusive marketing partnership between two leading Washington state fruit companies launched a major organic program for certified Northwest apples, pears, cherries and stone fruit.

Don Goforth, marketing director for Reedley, CA-based Family Tree Farms Marketing LLC said April 16 that he believes the industry will indeed feel the effects from a reduced stone fruit crop due to widespread hail damage the week of April 9.

Mario Martinez, Irene Sanchez and Doug Ranno of Colorful Harvest in Salinas, CA, at the United Fresh 2012 convention.

Subscribe To Our Print Edition

Get the latest industry news every other week.

• $85 for One Year

• $135 for Two Years

• $175 for One Year to Canada (payable in US funds only)

Get the latest industry news every other week.

Produce QA Consultants, headquartered in Rochester, NY, offers a unique service that can help companies cut shrink and improve quality assurance from the time a truck backs up to the dock to when the customer pays for produce at the register, and even beyond.

Strawberry shippers reported strong Mother’s Day demand. Lettuce and leaf shippers reported easing demand on improving supplies. Onion shippers reported continued strong red onion demand. Idaho russet shippers reported modest carton demand.

TRANSPORTATION & FUEL