Produce Retail
In the wake of the food safety travails of romaine lettuce in recent weeks — and industry navel-gazing about whether health authorities overreacted — I ask this question: What about the good news?
Apio Inc., Guadalupe, Calif., is recalling Eat Smart brand Salad Shake Ups — Sweet Kale salads from Canadian retailers for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Retail produce managers take note: the Idaho Potato Commission’s 2019 retail display contest wants to send you away. To Hawaii.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has increased the number of people who’ve contacted E. coli in an outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from coastal counties in California.
USDA data reports rising truck rates to New York from various produce shipping districts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is restricting California and New York businesses from operating in the industry, including meal kit company Chef’d, which closed abruptly last July when it ran out of funds.
Salad dressing company Litehouse Inc., Sandpoint, Idaho, has promoted Kelly Prior to president.
World Waters LLC, Denver, is recalling 12 packs of WTRMLN WTR cold-pressed watermelon juice because of possible presence of soft plastic pieces in the bottles.
The changing role of wholesalers and distributors of organic produce will be the focus of the first of six educational sessions at the Organic Produce Summit.
SunWest Fruit Co., Parlier, Calif., has promoted Brett Britz to vice president of sales and marketing.
Former National Football League player Hines Ward will be the keynote speaker at The Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Expo.
JOH, Billerica, Mass., has promoted Kathy Sullivan to senior vice president of its Specialty and Alternate Channel.
BrightFarms, Irvington, N.Y., has hired Steve Campione as chief financial officer.
Dole is honoring fictional and real female superheros with a promotion centering on Captain Marvel and her alter-ego Carol Danvers.
Monterey Mushrooms, Watsonville, Calif., will showcase its Let’s Blend line of finely diced mushrooms at the Southeast Produce Council’s 2019 Southern Exposure expo.
Arctic ApBitz dried apple snacks are available through Amazon again, with a new variety.
Los Angeles-based Coast Produce Co. has been awarded a contract to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to military commissaries in the Western U.S.
Bert Boyd, who sold and marketed grapes for Pretty Lady Vineyards, McFarland, Calif., has died. He was 67.
San Francisco-based Fresh Solutions Network is positioning its Side Delights fresh potato brand in the trending “food as medicine” and plant-based menu movement.
Village Farms is adding Heavenly Villagio Marzano and Maverick Mix tomatoes to its organic offerings.
Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario, has joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
Applewood Fresh Growers LLC, Sparta, Mich., has hired Brian Coates as director of business development.
A Produce Outlook Roundtable Luncheon will kick off the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2019 Convention & Expo.
MONTREAL — The Canadian Produce Marketing Association brought Bernadette Hamel back from a retirement trip to Florida to honor her with the CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Eastern Produce Council celebrated its 53rd annual gala with a different format.
FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Ontario, has hired Kristyn Lawson as senior vice president of sales.
The Produce for Better Health Foundation has chosen the companies and individuals whose support of the Fruit & Veggies — More Matters brand to increase consumption in 2018 warrants special recognition.
Renaissance Food Group’s senior vice president of sales, Phil Fendyan, plans to retire in April after more than 15 years with the company.
With more than 300 exhibitors and a strong international presence, the 2019 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention delivered for attendees.
I was doing some spring cleaning when Russ T. Blade emerged from behind some folders. “Rusty,” as readers know is the miniature imaginary produce manager who occasionally drops in to talk shop.