Page 156 - Roduce Editorials News Today

The fully automated Sunsortai machine, a next-generation sorter from Sunkist Research and Technical Services, looks to make sorting and grading of citrus fruit just a lot easier. The new sorter uses Google AI technology to assess the inherent quality of each piece it processes, including any potential defects.

As Bobalu Berry Farms managing partners continue with their daily walks in strawberry fields, students in Ventura County are preparing for their walk toward high school diplomas so the company thought it’s perfect timing for awarding scholarships from the new Bobalu Berry Farms Scholarship Program.

Around May 10, planting season for sweet potatoes began at Vick Family Farms, and though things have been cooler than normal, some rain is expected to help with planting.  “We have great customers all across the United States, and in many countries across the world,” said Charlotte D. Vick, partner/sales and marketing manager for the Wilson, NC-based company. “We have built strong relationships that we value so much and continue to work with each of them to grow their sweet potato sales.�...

There were a few cold nights in the blueberry capital of the world, but New Jersey blueberries are ripe and ready to start harvesting. Our growers are expecting a full, robust crop of the berries customers crave. Consumers wait for blueberries from the Garden State all year long because they know Jersey Fresh blueberries will provide the flavor and size they desire. Jersey Fresh blueberries will be ready for shelves the week of June 13th and remain as the bigger, better more flavorful berries.

This year is shaping up to be a good one for California table grapes according to Sunview Marketing International. Sunview, headquartered in Delano, CA, has been growing premium quality table grapes in the central valley for more than seventy years. “In our expert opinion, this year’s grape season outlook is looking very strong –– we are excited about supplying our fresh grapes to our retail partners and consumers worldwide,” said Mitch Wetzel, vice president of sales and Marketing.

Western Growers Insurance Services announced Ed McClements as the new senior vice president of large group sales. McClements has over 45 years of employee benefits experience and 32 years working in the agricultural marketplace. McClements has been immersed in large group sales throughout his career and has a notable history of experience in the design and ongoing operation of customized employee benefit programs for employers with large workforces.

The Cosmic Crisp apple gained retail momentum this spring and made waves after appearing on the first season finale of "NCIS: Hawai’i." Stemilt’s review of April 2022 Nielsen retail scan data revealed that Cosmic Crisp was the seventh apple nationally at 2.2 percent of apple volumes and 2.3 percent of apple dollars.

With the recent announcement of a series of regional listening sessions to inform creation of the U.S. nutrition security blueprint to be unveiled at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition & Health in September, the International Fresh Produce Association enlisted a broad cross-section of its membership to participate in the sessions and ensure the fresh fruit and vegetable community is represented and heard.

Berries Paradise and Agrovision formed a berry marketing partnership to serve North America. This joint venture creates a year-round, vertically integrated selection of conventional and organic blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. It provides retail customers with a one-stop shop of high-quality, innovative and flavorful berries at scale. The combined current planted acreage is 10,000 acres, yielding 120 million pounds across all three berries from Peru and Mexico. 

Vallarta Supermarkets, one of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California, partnered with Flashfood, a digital marketplace that provides customers access to heavily discounted food nearing its best-by date. The five-store pilot will bring the app to Los Angeles County shoppers in Palmdale and Lancaster for the first time, expanding Flashfood's presence across the U.S. from coast-to-coast.