Apex Produce expects good quality this fall
San Luis Valley potato crops looked good in late August, said Mark Bisel, owner and sales manager of shipper Apex Produce Co. LLC, Center, Colo.
He expected growers to begin digging potatoes sometime around Sept. 10-15.
Apex sells russets from San Luis Valley.
Cañon Potato enters 55th year of sales
Cañon Potato Co., Center, Colo., is in its 55th year of selling potatoes, partner David Tonso said.
He looks forward to a good season, he said, and expects to see good demand for a good-quality crop from San Luis Valley.
Colorado potato group hires admin assistant
Malisa Rytting joined the Monte Vista-based Colorado Potato Administrative Committee in mid-August, as an administrative assistant, said Jim Ehrlich, executive director.
Rytting’s duties include expanding the committee’s social media efforts.
Before being hired by the committee, Rytting worked for a regional development authority, Ehrlich said.
Farm Fresh adds farms in Nebraska, Nevada
Monte Vista, Colo.-based Farm Fresh Direct LLC this summer added Fargo, N.D.-based R.D. Offutt Co.’s operations in O’Neill, Neb., and Winnemucca, Nev., to its cooperative.
Farm Fresh also has changed its name to Farm Fresh Direct of America.
Farm Fresh is a grower-owned co-op, and Offutt bought into it as an owner, said Dave Yeager, vice president of new business development.
Metz Potato crops running few days late
Monte Vista, Colo.-based Metz Potato Co. LLC’s crops were running about five days behind normal, owner Bill Metz said.
He said he expected good sizing by the time he begins digging about Sept. 15.
“It’ll be interesting to see what the crop’s going to do,” he said on Aug. 31.
“Until you get to digging, it’s hard to say what’s going to happen.”
Monte Vista co-op starts GlobalGAP work
Monte Vista Potato Grower Co-op Association, Monte Vista, Colo., is beginning work toward certification under the GlobalGAP Integrated Farm Assurance standard, said Steve Tillman, manager.
Emeryville, Calif.-based Scientific Certification Systems in December certified the association’s packing facilities under Good Manufacturing Practices with Food Security, and Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points standards.
The association also has installed a new computer system.
The new system will enable complete traceback, Tillman said.
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