Piazza Produce finds profit in going green

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WATERMELON — F.O.B.S AS OF MAY 13

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (705-766-766, seedless 683-751-759, seeded 22-15-7) — Movement expected about the same. Trading seeded slow, others moderate. Prices seedless 35-60 counts lower, others generally unchanged. Red-flesh seedless-type per pound 24-inch bins approximately 35-60 counts mostly 20 cents, 75-80s 14-16 cents; red-flesh seeded-type approximately 35-55 counts 12-14 cents. Flat cartons red-flesh seedless miniature 6-9s $7-9. Quality variable. Many present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments.

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS — Shipments (29-96-255, seedless 26-83-223, seeded 3-13-32) — Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading very active at slightly lower prices. Prices 24-inch bins per-pound red-flesh seedless-type approximately 35-60 counts 28 cents, seeded-type approximately 28-35 counts mostly 21-22 cents. Quality generally good. Most present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments at lower prices.

FLORIDA — Shipments (124-159-233, red-flesh seeded 16-29-53, red-flesh seedless 51-130-180) — Movement expected to increase as more growers start the season in central Florida. Harvesting slowed. Trading very active. Prices generally unchanged. 24-inch bins per-pound red-flesh seeded-type 35s 24-25 cents; red-flesh seedless-type 45 count 29-30 cents, 60 count 29-30 cents. Quality generally good.

IMPERIAL AND COACHELLA VALLEYS, CALIF., AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN ARIZONA — Shipments (AZ seedless 0-23-16, CA 0-26-78, seedless 0-24-73, seeded 0-2-5) — Movement from western Arizona, Imperial and Coachella valleys expected to increase seasonally. Trading fairly active at slightly lower prices. Prices slightly lower. Red-flesh seedless-type per pound 24-inch bins approximately 35 and 45 counts mostly 22 cents. Organic red-flesh seedless 24-inch bins per pound approximately 35 and 45 counts 35 cents; miniature carton 6s and 8s $20.50. Quality generally good. Harvest central Arizona expected to begin the week of May 27.

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Home > News > Handling & Distributing > Piazza Produce finds profit in going green

Handling & Distributing

Piazza Produce finds profit in going green

05/24/2012 4:42:37 PM
Melissa Shipman

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Courtesy Piazza ProduceScott Lutocka, facilities manager, left, and Pete Piazza, president of Piazza Produce Inc., pose with the 2012 Sustainability Award from Mayor Greg Ballard. Piazza Produce Inc., Indianapolis, was honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard with a 2012 Sustainability Award in the category of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The honor comes on the heels of Piazza achieving zero-waste status, defined as a diversion of more than 90% of waste from landfills and incinerators.

Currently, Piazza is at 92%, according to Scott Lutocka, facilities manager, and looks to reach 95% or higher in the future.

“We paid about $100,000 for waste removal in 2005. We were just looking for a way to manage expenses,” he said.

By 2011, those expenses dropped to $15,800, with a total of 46,000 in rebates, netting the company more than $30,000.

Lutocka says the company now sends only 326 tons of waste to landfills, compared to 2,175 tons in 2005.

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Piazza Produce finds profit in going green

05/24/2012 4:42:37 PMMelissa Shipman

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05/24/2012 4:42:37 PM
Melissa Shipman