Month: August 2011

It’s mid-August but cherry harvest is still going strong for Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee, WA. In fact, Stemilt is just starting to pack fresh cherries in a new, high-altitude box. The special pack type is only used when the company begins harvesting its high-elevation cherries, as it helps differentiate the company’s premium late cherry program in the marketplace. …

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is putting the final touches on its 43rd Produce Convention and Golf Tournament. The Produce Convention will be held November 3 – 5, 2011 in Nogales, Arizona, home to the largest port of entry for fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico and to a wide array of companies involved in distributing fresh produce across North America. …

The Philadelphia and South African produce community marked the beginning of the South Africa summer citrus season by celebrating the first pallet unloaded from the first shipment at the Holt Marine Terminal in Gloucester City, N.J. …

R.D. Offutt Company’s potato operations in O’Neill, Nebraska, and Winnemucca, Nevada have joined forces with grower owned Farm Fresh Direct, LLC of Monte Vista, Co. to create a National Sales and Marketing Company, Farm Fresh Direct of America. With the addition of these operations, Farm Fresh Direct is now the largest grower owned fresh potato shipper in the US. …

Uesugi Farms, Inc., a grower-packer-shipper based in Gilroy, CA, scored an outstanding grade in its annual NSF Davis Fresh Food Safety Audit. Uesugi Farms, primarily known throughout the industry as a pepper shipper (both bell and chili peppers), also grows napa cabbage, white corn, strawberries and pumpkins.

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