Baldor Specialty Foods
Bronx, N.Y.-based Baldor Specialty Foods introduced a new organic casper baby kale to the Northeast region for a limited time only. The kale comes from Thermal, Cali.-based County Line Harvest Farm.
County Line Harvest is an organic farm with two locations in California: one in Petaluma, Marin County, and one in Thermal, Riverside County, according to Baldor’s website.
California Cantaloupe Advisory Board
Fresno, Cali.-based California Cantaloupe Advisory Board announced on Feb. 10 that vaccinations have begun for essential workers employed by the state’s cantaloupe growers.
“This week over 800 arms that work hard to pick, pack and cultivate cantaloupe will receive shots -— all thanks to the quick work of a team comprised of Patricio, California secretary of food and agriculture Karen Ross, local health care provider Valley Health Team, the Fresno County Department of Public Health and the Fresno Agriculture Commissioner’s office,” according to a news release.
California Fresh Fruit Association
Fresno, Cali.-based California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds the launch of the OptumServe, a site at Reedley College, which provides COVID-19 canines to Central Valley residents.
“California agriculture has been an essential business throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to supply the nation and world with a safe and healthy food supply. Despite challenges constantly being thrown at it, the agriculture industry continues to adapt to meet this moment. The increase of COVID-19 vaccinations at the OptumServe site at Reedley College is a good step forward for members of our industry and rural communities. The road to get beyond COVID-19 has been long for us all, announcements like today’s are welcomed and give us a glimpse of hope for our future,” Ian LeMay, president of CFFA, said in a news release.
Simply Organic
Norway, Iowa-based Simply Organic has awarded $150,000 in donations through its 2021 Giving Fund Grant Program. The grant program focuses on “supporting organizations dedicated to nourishing the millions of food insecure in the United States and Canada,” according to a news release.
The 2021 grant recipients include:
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc.
Kankakee, Ill.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., has partnered with Kankakee County Health Department to make COVID-19 vaccinations available to the Del Monte staff and Kankakee team members. The vaccines will be administered by the Jewel-Osco pharmacy at the Kankakee Del Monte facility.
“The health and safety of our team members is our top priority. We are grateful that we have the opportunity to provide the option of vaccines to our facility,” said Morgan Tracy, general manager of the Kankakee facility.
Bee Sweet Citrus
Fowler, Cali.-based Bee Sweet Citrus touts cara cara oranges and blood oranges for Valentine’s Day marketing promotions.
“An exceptional blend of flavor and appeal, cara cara navels and blood oranges are perfect for the upcoming holiday,” said Monique Bienvenue, director of communications.
G&R Farms
Glennville, Ga.-based G&R Farms concludes its first annual Season of Giving campaign, which raised $22,600. The organization partnered with Costco and Schnucks to give back to United Way branches in Texas and Operation Food Search in St. Louis, Mo.
The campaign included a merchandising display tear-off pad, stickers on all sweet onion bags as well as social media and public relations campaigns.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue University received a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research grant of $256,000 to conduct research on multispectral photomorphogenesis in rotary aeroponic cultivation chambers, according to a news release.
Heliponix LLC, founded by Purdue University, sells GroPod Smart Garden appliances that are small enough to fit the average-sized kitchen.
