Page 216 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Six years ago, Jim Provost, president of I Love Produce LLC. saw a notice on a bulletin board at his daughter’s high school — Special Olympics Basketball was looking for volunteers. “I used to coach, and I was looking for ways to give back to my community, so I called up the head coach and that was it,” he said.

“We are completely focused on growing the volume of blueberries sold in the United States and around the world,” said Jennifer Sparks, vice president of marketing and communications at the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Established in 2000 as an official research and promotion program overseen by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service division, the USHBC exists to drive volume growth for blueberries by uniting the industry through research, promotions and resources.

With more than a century of history behind it, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons understands what it takes to be a success. Situated on the Michigan Produce Terminal in Detroit, the company serves local and national chain stores, as well as foodservice providers. Its distribution network reaches most of the United States and into Canada, and in 2022, the company is expanding even further.

With a wide array of products to share the spotlight in booth No. 710 at 2022’s Southern Exposure, Wada Farms’ leadership and sales team members are eager to resume the great networking opportunities the Orlando show provides. Wada Director of Marketing Eric Beck cited the Southeast Produce Council’s annual springtime convention and expo as a key event for the produce industry and said this year’s shows are especially important.

As we head into the college basketball bracket season, Avocados From Mexico and Mission Foods are inviting shoppers to celebrate game day with the return of Taco Tip Off. The two companies have partnered to encourage shoppers to make avocados and tacos the star of their gameday plans.

Procurant, which recently penned a deal with Albertsons to be its primary digital procurement platform for perishables, is touting its system as the next generation technology to solve produce supply chain issues.

In time for National Strawberry Day, California Strawberries is set to amplify strawberries and their many health benefits via the new year-long, consumer-focused campaign Love, Strawberries. Inspired by the love and the care the heart-healthy berry provides, Love, Strawberries is an ode to California strawberries and the hardworking farmers and farm workers behind the berry. 

U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility discovered almost 1,200 small packages of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of onions on Sunday, Feb. 20. Officers encountered a 46-year-old driver of a tractor trailer with a shipment manifested as onions.  During the inspection, a CBP officer referred the driver along with the conveyance for a more intensive examination.

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” — Dale Carnegie I always say that produce is the “fun before the storm.” Let’s face it, working in the produce business is like the weather. There are calm sunny days and there are dark stormy days.

Wiers Farm is seeing increased demand for its retail-ready packaged items. The Willard, OH-based company offers a diverse line of bagged vegetables including chili peppers, green beans, pickles and more.