Page 198 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Mission Produce Inc. is a leader in distributing fresh Hass avocados. The company said increased volume is expected by the industry for this year’s California season. Stephen Fink, vice president of North American Sales said, “the season is off to a strong start, with peak harvest expected between May and July. Industry volume is anticipated to be higher than last year at around 306 million pounds, with sizing currently on the smaller side.” Added volume and smaller overall sizing has been...

The onset of spring traditionally brings volatility; however, produce markets have been steady for the past few weeks, according to Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ. He said price increases in berries, tomatoes and corn offset declines in lettuce, celery and asparagus prices. Broccoli markets are tightening up and after a few weeks of low prices, moving from $9 to $15. Broccoli prices are up 50 percent over the previous week and are expected to climb further.

Willard (Bill) Bishop, died peacefully on Friday, March 25, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 80. Mr. Bishop's experience in the food retail business reaches from the earliest introduction of the UPC code to the online grocery revolution that was fast-tracked due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gotham Greens, a certified B corporation and indoor farming pioneer that operates one of the largest networks of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses in North America, will double the size of its greenhouse capacity from 600,000 square feet to over 1.2 million square feet in 2022.

Martori Farms, a premier grower and shipper of melons, acquired Santa Rosa Produce. The merging of the two well-known farms will increase the supply for high-demand melons and create more than 500 additional jobs at Martori Farms.

Ben B Schwartz & Sons announced that Jordan Grainger will be joining the company as vice president of sales and business development, effective April 4.

AM Fresh Group and Rio Blanco have combined to establish Terramara Fresh, a joint venture powerhouse of innovative table grape varieties and sustainable farming. For over 30 years, Rio Blanco — through its Terramara investment — has thrived as a competitive farming platform. The new combined partnership will focus on production of a diverse array of premium varieties to offer customers a breadth of high-flavored, disease-resistant and high-antioxidant table grape varieties.

While this year’s entire California avocado crop is projected at 306 million pounds — slightly higher than the state’s sub-300-million total last year — Henry Avocado greatly increased its capacity for ripening at its Milpitas distribution center in Northern California. The expansion increases the annual volume there to more than 2 million cartons.

Ever since Robert Colescott founded Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties in 1990, the company’s mission has been to provide the finest restaurants and hotels in the nation with the best service and highest quality specialty produce.  Over its more than three decades in business, the company has continued to provide these services, adding the leading retailers and club stores in North America to its mix.

More than 120 exhibitors and a thousand attendees are expected to convene at the Anaheim Convention Center on April 6 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo, after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19.