Page 111 - Roduce Editorials News Today

The International Fresh Produce Association announced its slate of new directors for the 2023 IFPA board of directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and their board term will begin at the end of October.

The Pacific NW organic pear crop looks promising, as estimates point to an increase in volume over last year.

According to multiple reports, heavy rain in central Mexico destroyed hundreds of hectares of strawberry fields last week, and ProduceIQ reports that a disease called Fusarium is negatively affecting strawberry yields in California. As a result, strawberry supply is forecasted to remain tight well after Labor Day. Strawberry prices are currently at a 10-year high for this week.

According to multiple reports, heavy rain in central Mexico destroyed hundreds of hectares of strawberry fields last week, and ProduceIQ reports that a disease called Fusarium is negatively affecting strawberry yields in California. As a result, strawberry supply is forecasted to remain tight well after Labor Day. Strawberry prices are currently at a 10-year high for this week.

Riveridge Produce Marketing is a vertically integrated apple grower, packer, shipper and marketer of apples. “We market fresh apples on behalf of many multi-generational growers primarily in Michigan,” said Trish Taylor, marketing manager for the Sparta, MI-based company. “Additionally, we are cider makers; Riveridge Cider Co. presses fresh cider year-round at our facility in Michigan.”

The California avocado season is drawing to a close. With nearly 263 million pounds shipped through Aug. 14, the crop is estimated to be about 97 percent harvested. The California Avocado Commission delineates crop years based on its fiscal year timing of November through October. The 2021-22 crop year was highlighted by strong market conditions, an early start to harvesting and more of the crop shipping in the spring than is typical.

This summer, Bako Sweet hosted a retail merchandising contest that ran from May 20 to July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that participated saw significant sales lift.

Two coasts, 12 states, 3,028 miles, 175,000 vertical feet over three mountain ranges, all at an average speed of 17 miles per hour. “And we only had two flat tires,” Karin Gardner, executive director of marketing at Oppy, said of her team’s impressive top-category finish in the 2022 cycling event Race Across America.

Carl Sam Maggio, who had a produce career stretching six decades, died Aug. 19 of natural causes after battling health issues for the previous two years. He was born Jan. 23, 1933, making him 89 at his death. Over those decades he was involved in many innovative and successful produce ventures from working with the renowned “Carrot King” Joe Maggio (his uncle) to his partnerships in Maggio-Tostado, Sun World Inc., Sun and Sands Enterprises and Prime Time International.

Bobalu Berry Farms continues on its growth track as the company celebrates 60 years of farming fresh strawberries this year in California.  Another staff position has been added to help streamline packaging, supplies and inventory management throughout all growing regions.