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A midweek blizzard to add to complications in Middle Atlantic region

The mid-Atlantic produce industry was whacked by one large storm Feb. 5-6 and is braced for another Feb. 9-10. As much as two feet of new snow was expected to hit Philadelphia, which was forecast to be in the bull's eye of the midweek, full-fledged blizzard.

According to a Feb. 8 report by The Weather Channel, among major mid- Atlantic landmarks, Dulles Airport received the greatest snowfall in the Feb. 5-6 storm, with 30 inches. Tony Vitrano, president of the Tony Vitrano Co., said that the Maryland Wholesale Produce Center in Jessup, MD, also received 30 inches.

Enclosed Philadelphia market construction moving ahead

According to news services, a big snowfall predicted for Feb. 10 will set a Philadelphia record for the snowiest winter ever but should not affect construction of the new market.

However, John Vena, owner of John Vena Inc. on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, said that the bad winter weather will have "minimal" impact on the construction of the new Philadelphia market because the building is now enclosed and work is underway inside the new building.

Five Crowns is taking over marketing for Prima Bella

Five Crowns Marketing, based in Brawley, CA, has entered into a strategic partnership with Prima Bella Produce. Under terms of the agreement, Five Crowns will acquire stock in Prima Bella, and will take over all sales and marketing functions for the packaged corn shipper, effective April 1.

Mastronardi Produce receives non-GMO project certification

With consumer interest in the genetic modification of fruits and vegetables continuing to mount, Mastronardi Produce has received a certificate of compliance from the Non-GMO Project Verification Program, a standardized program that is based on third-party verification of products following best practices for GMO avoidance.

The program was initiated by the North American organic and natural products industry for companies that want to offer their customers a verified non-GMO choice.

Chilean avocados score touchdown at 2010 Fiesta Bowl

APTOS, CA -- The Chilean Avocado Importers Association made the perfect pass to more than 25,000 Boise State University and Texas Christian University fans along with several of the association's VIP invited guests.

Through a partnering sponsorship with the Fiesta Bowl, college football enthusiasts learned more about Hass avocados from Chile and tasted them first hand at both the Fiesta Bowl's college football's biggest party and Stadium Club tailgate pre-game extravaganzas.

Supervalu plans to double the number of Save-A-Lot stores

Supervalu Inc., which is one of the larger supermarket companies in the country, has made it known that it plans to nearly double the number of Save-A-Lot stores that it operates over the next five years. Currently, it operates about 1,200 stores from coast to coast in urban, rural and suburban environments.

Save-A-Lot is a smaller-format, discount chain that claims to offer savings of as much as 40 percent compared to a conventional grocery store. It offers limited SKUs throughout the store, including in the produce department.

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