Mrs. Paul's & Van De Kamp's Launch New ParchentBake Tilapia Fillets

February 24, 2012 Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

Mrs. Paul's(R) and Van de Kamp's(R), portfolio brands of Pinnacle Foods Group, today announced the launch of new ParchmentBake(TM) tilapia fillets. The secret to Mrs. Paul's and Van de Kamp's ParchmentBake fillets is the unique parchment bag that delicately bakes 100% whole tilapia fillets in a delicious sauce, locking in flavor and moisture.

Yellow Perch, A Small Treasure

I had never thought of yellow perch as a prized local delicacy; all of a sudden two chefs were singing its praises in a week’s time. Steve Vilni was hired two ears ago by Maryland’s DNR to promote the state’s seafood, putting to effective use the 10 years of experience and connections he acquired working in the seafood industry. Now he connects watermen with potential customers.

New VP Of Federal Affairs Joins Western Growers

February 24, 2012 Western Growers Association

There’s a new team leader representing the most influential specialty crop producers in the fresh produce industry in the nation’s capitol. Joining Western Growers in Washington, D.C., is Dennis Nuxoll, newly appointed vice president of federal government affairs. Ken Barbic—also in Western Growers’ Washington, D.C., office—is being promoted to senior director of federal government affairs.

There’s No Wrestling With This Sumo (Orange)

A cross between the mandarin and a California navel orange, it took 30 years to develop in Japan, where it is called Dekopon and highly prized; at a half-pound to a pound, a single fruit sells there for as much as $8.

Despite 20% Crop Loss, Florida Blueberry Growers See Silver Lining

February 24, 2012 Kevin Bouffard, Ledger

Freezing weather during the weekend of Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 that came after an unusually warm winter and some production problems has destroyed about 20 percent of Florida’s 2012 blueberry crop. But the resulting shortage of Florida blueberries combined with even larger damage to the Georgia blueberry crop could push up farm prices for the state crop by 20 percent.