Latest News From Packer Tech

Western Growers, Irvine, Calif., has created digital, wearable technology to help employers with COVID-19 health screenings and record-keeping.

Following the debut of a new logo and mission statement in 2019 — marking 100 years in business — wholesaler and distributor John Vena Inc., Philadelphia, has a redesigned website with a host of new features.

RLS Logistics, Newfield, N.J., has a new website highlighting the company’s full-spectrum supply chain management capabilities.

As food safety audits of leafy greens continue during the pandemic, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement members have access to new tools streamlining the audit data.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified five romaine lettuce varieties that are slower to brown after processing.

Van Doren Sales Inc., East Wenatchee, Wash., which manufactures packinghouse equipment, has acquired Agjet LLC., a data integration company focused on case handling, coding and traceability.

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif., is blockchain compliant with the IBM Food Trust, allowing all points of the company’s berry supply chain to access data.

GS1 US, Ewing, N.J., has scheduled a free online conference, GS1 Connect: Digital Edition, to help industry stay informed on trends, share best practices and prepare for future business.

Reseachers working on a solution to citrus greening disease, aka huanglongbing (HLB), at the University of Florida, have discovered another possible solution.

ProChile recently introduced ChileB2B, an online marketplace that allows exporters to connect directly to buyers in other countries.

After nearly 30 years at Western Growers, Hank Giclas is retiring.

AGRO Merchants Group, a global cold storage and logistics company, has added two ripening chambers at its Vineland, N.J., facility.

IFoodDecisionSciences Inc. has acquired traceability provider HarvestMark from Trimble.

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted conventional supply chains, sellers and buyers have been turning to different solutions to keep fresh produce moving to end consumers.

Exporters whose preferred transportation is airline cargo are seeing fewer options as the COVID-19 pandemic has grounded flights.

Cora Heacox has joined Germains Seed Technology, Gilroy, Calif., as senior sales coordinator for the North America horticultural commercial team.

JBT Corp., Chicago, is committed to helping customers achieve sustainability goals through processing equipment that increase yields, reduce waste and cut energy use.

Hazel Technologies Inc., Chicago, has seen positive results in trials with its shelf-life extension product on apples.

Strella Biotechnology, a Philadelphia company that uses biosensors to maximize freshness of fresh produce throughout the supply chain, has received $3.3 million in seed funding.

AgroFresh, whose SmartFresh technology extends the shelf life of produce, has added more items available for treatment, including avocados, tomatoes, broccoli and mangoes.

Chiquita Brands, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has partnered with music streaming platform Spotify to create an interactive “Blue Sticker” series. 

The Castellini Group of Companies, Cincinnati, has a new website and logo as it enters into a new phase of a growth plan that’s unifying its companies under the Castellini brand.

Thermoformed packaging company Lacerta, which makes packaging for produce and other fresh foods has been make face shields to protect health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AgriCoat-NatureSeal Ltd., Berkshire, United Kingdom, has introduced a new addition to its Semperfresh line of coatings that prolongs fresh produce shelf life

Registration is open for the Center for Produce Safety’s Research Symposium weekly web seminars, a five-part series in place of the annual meeting that was cancelled by COVID-19 restrictions.

Vic Smith, the CEO of JV Smith Cos., has joined the board of directors of Kenmore, Wash.-based iFood Decision Sciences (iFoodDS), a software company specializing in food safety.

Indoor, vertical grower Kalera, Orlando, Fla., plans to open a new growing facility in Atlanta in early 2021. 

Arvin, Calif.-based Tasteful Selections, in partnership with RPE Inc., has launched a redesigned website as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Key Technology has introduced a new sorting system for fresh-cut apples, the VERYX digital sorter.

The LATAM Cargo Group, which transports goods by airplanes, is seeing an increase in demand with the loss of cargo capacity on passenger flights.

Fox Solutions, McAllen, Texas, has formed a partnership with Intecpal, a Spanish company that specializes in palletizing, bagging and wrapping.

The Oppenheimer Group has concluded a grape quality trial using Hazel Technologies shelf-life extending sachets in pallets of imported of South American red seedless grapes.

What kind of innovation is needed to feed x(number) billion people in Y(date)?

As the COVID-19 pandemic separates inspectors from on-site duties, NSF International has demonstrated the ability to conduct food safety audits using smartglass technology.

Tomra Food, which manufactures sensor-based machines to sort and grade fruits and vegetables, is using digital technology to debut a Virtual Test and Demonstration Center.

Produce Marketing Association members have free access to an iTradeNetwork platform that connects buyers and suppliers, as the COVID-19 crisis strains normal supply chains.

Port Manatee, Palmetto, Fla., has a new facility that helps move imported fresh fruit to retailers and foodservice operators faster.

Michael Family Farms, Urbana, Ohio, launched a website showcasing its operation and Side Delights potato products.

Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., will be using Apeel Sciences’ treatment or organic apples.

RLS Logistics has started a less-than-truckload (LTL) day-specific service for temperature-controlled shipments to select grocery warehouses nationwide with no upcharge.

The United Fresh Produce Association is unveiling its plans for a virtual show, United Fresh LIVE!, after the organization cancelled its annual in-person show because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Atlanta-based Aptar Food + Beverage is launching InvisiShield packaging technology, which kills pathogens and extends shelf life.

The United Fresh Produce Association has swapped the traditional trade show planned for San Diego in June for an online event.

SFL Cos., Rochester, Mich., has been named a 2020 Rock Star of the Supply Chain by Food Logistics.

Hazel Technologies Inc., Chicago, has hired Kelly Dietz as vice president of sales.

Registrar Corp., Hampton, Va., has acquired Vinca LLC, which provides online training for food safety management systems.

The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) is asking for nominations for the ninth annual Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award.

Inline Plastics, Shelton, Conn., is integrating rDPET into its products, using post-consumer content from recycled products.

Key Technology, Walla Walla, Wash., has appointed Jesus Acevedo as Pacific Northwest sales manager.

WeighPack Systems Inc., Montreal, has a new system that can vacuum pack produce and other foods.