Page 205 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Back in mid-February, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented the Patrick J. Mullen Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Award to D'Ottavio Produce during the co-located conventions of New Jersey's State Board of Agriculture and the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, held in Atlantic City, NJ.

Church Brothers announced the appointment of Susanne Klose as senior director of research and development.

With more than five decades of experience calling the Hunts Point Market home, S. Katzman Produce has seen first-hand the importance of the market to New York and the surrounding areas. “We bring stuff in from all over the world — about 50 different countries,” said Stefanie Katzman, executive vice president at S. Katzman Produce. A fourth-generation family member in the company, Katzman, is seeing great things ahead for 2022.

The total online grocery market generated $8.7 billion in sales during February, a gain of 8.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago, according to a recent Brick Meets Click/Mercatus grocery shopping survey.

Krasdale Foods announced veteran Florida supermarket executive Chris Lavoy as the vice president of the Bravo Florida brand for Beta II Marketing. Beta II Marketing is an affiliated company of Krasdale Foods.

With California avocado season officially under way, West Pak Avocado, a California-based avocado supplier, saw record volume in February. “Between a later big game this year and the week-long hiccup in supply from Mexico, California fruit saw a record 10.2 percent market share in February,” said Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Meyer. “At this point, over 10 percent of the California fruit for the season has been harvested, which is typically only a few percent by the end...

With four decades of experience distributing fresh produce on the East Coast, Exp Group LLC continues to grow its network of production, importation and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from both Central and South America. The company’s 35-acre, 293,000-square-foot facility in North Bergen, NJ, houses Exp Group LLC, Exp Logistics LLC and Exp Banana LLC.

As a long-time wholesaler on the Hunts Point Market, the third generation run Nathel & Nathel continues to be a top importer and exporter, supplying retailers and wholesalers worldwide with produce. The company operates 26 units on Row C and Row D, and has 70,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space, 180 employees and 40 trucks.

Giant Food announced that its Giant Pickup service is now free and available same-day within four hours of purchase at all 159 Giant Pickup locations. The company said it continues to invest in its omnichannel strategy, ensuring value across its in-store and online offerings, including pickup and delivery. Last year Giant eliminated minimum order requirements for all Giant Pickup orders. Minimum order requirements for Giant Delivers were halved and delivery fees were eliminated for midweek order...

Most grape supplies will be coming from Chile. Red grapes are best for price promoting right now and the quality has been good. More green grape volume has improved, but prices are still on the higher side. Supplies out of Chile should be good through April. Mexico will start in a small way the beginning of May and peak in June.