Packer Stories

05/14/2012

(UPDATED COVERAGE, 3 p.m.) River Ranch Fresh Foods is closing its Salinas, Calif., processing plant and moving those operations to Taylor Farms’ foodservice and retail salad facilities in the same city.

River Ranch Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms are subsidiaries of Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc.

River Ranch notified production and administrative employees of the planned closure May 11. California labor law requires at least 60 days advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff.

05/10/2012

Tanimura & Antle has launched a new design for its wrapped leaf lettuce bags, with large lettering and color-coded varieties plus features promoting the company’s field packing process.

05/04/2012

Ryan Talley of Talley Farms is the new chairman of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.

05/02/2012

A push for North Carolina to adopt the federal food code could result in receivers of fresh-cut leafy greens having the bark in a regulation that some say will have virtually no bite.

05/02/2012

Two high-profile companies recently signed with TrueTrac LLC, Salinas, Calif., to use LabelTrac and HarvestTrac to comply with the Produce Traceability Initiative.

Market Scope - Lettuce, romaine — F.o.b.s as of April 16

ALL CALIFORNIA DISTRICTS — Shipments (153-264-266) —

CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CALIF. — Movement expected to decrease seasonally below the 124 units shipped the week of April 9. Trading 24s fairly active, hearts moderate. Prices 24s much higher, hearts higher. Cartons 24s mostly $9.47-9.95; hearts 12 3-count packages mostly $9.50-10.45, 48s mostly $10.50-11.45. Quality generally good.

SALINAS-WATSONVILLE, CALIF. — Movement expected to increase seasonally above the 114 units shipped the week of April 9. Trading early moderate, others fairly late. Prices 24s much higher. Cartons 24s $8.50-10.35; hearts 12 3-count packages mostly $10.85-12.11, 48s mostly $11.85-13.11. Quality generally good.

SANTA MARIA, CALIF. — Movement expected to increase slightly above the 17 units shipped the week of April 9. Trading early moderate, late active. Supplies fairly light. Prices higher. Cartons 24s $9.75-11.35; hearts 12 3-count packages $11.25-11.35. Quality generally good.

OXNARD DISTRICT, CALIF. — Movement expected about the same as the 11 units shipped the week of April 9. Trading early moderate, late active. Prices higher. Cartons 24s mostly $8.75. Quality generally good.