Page 218 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Though the worst of the coronavirus appears to be in the rearview mirror, concern about rising costs is a new factor causing the average U.S. consumer to continue to eat more meals at home. At least that was one of the takeaways from an International Fresh Produce Association webinar titled “Retail Supply Chain, Inflation and Consumer Demand," which was held on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

As Mexico began its 2022 mango season in January with shipments of the yellow-fleshed Ataulfo variety, U.S. importers were greeted with a strong market. That market generally saw mangos trading at an excellent price, nearing double-digits for the standard four-kilogram carton. Veteran industry observers are predicting that the market will remain relatively strong through at least mid-March with promotable volume coming into play around April 1.

Ingles Markets Inc. announced the promotion of Patricia (Pat) E. Jackson to chief financial officer. Jackson will replace Ronald B. Freeman, who recently retired as CFO after successfully serving Ingles for nearly 17 years. Jackson has been the company's controller since she joined Ingles in 2010. Prior to that, she was the CFO of Sisters of Mercy Services Corp. Jackson is a licensed CPA and holds a master’s degree in accounting. The company said it has valued her contributions at Ingles ...

Moxxy Marketing promoted Allie Coombs to project manager. Coombs, who first started with Moxxy in 2014, has been part of the agency’s growth through two Salinas, CA, brick and mortar (literally) offices, to its current position as a virtual-operating nationwide powerhouse in food, beverage and ag marketing.

Cathy Burns, currently co-CEO of the new International Fresh Produce Association formed by the combination of United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association, will become its singular CEO effective March 31.

Matt Rader, president of one of Philadelphia’s premier nonprofit organizations, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), has been selected as a recipient of the highly coveted Eisenhower Fellowship. The Eisenhower Fellowship program identifies, empowers, and connects innovative leaders through a transformative fellowship experience and lifelong engagement in a global network of dynamic change agents committed to creating a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world.

Learn how to make a healthy, yet delicious, appetizer that is perfect for any occasion!  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against J&J Distributing Co. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Minnesota, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 12 produce sellers in the amount of $493,611 from June 2020 through April 2021.

The Saguaro Half Marathon, held Feb. 19 in Tucson, AZ, provided a perfect setting to showcase the health and hydration benefits of watermelon while putting the finishing touch on the two-year reign of National Watermelon Queen Paige Huntington. Huntington was selected National Watermelon Queen two years ago for what is typically a one-year term. She stayed on for a second year due to the cancellation of the 2021 National Watermelon Association convention, where a new queen was to be selected.

StePac Ltd.’s lean, automated modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) solutions gained rave reviews among Chilean cherry packers and exporters especially during the recent China cherry export season ahead of the recent Chinese New Year celebrations. The packaging formats have proven instrumental in helping the packers make the transition from manual to faster and more efficient automatized processes to counter the recent labor shortage hurdles.