Page 246 - Roduce Editorials News Today

New year, same problems. Supply chain issues (i.e. too few trucks, increased delivery costs) are impacting prices throughout the produce aisle. According to the USDA week 1 prices for peaches, nectarines and grapes are higher than traditionally at this time of year. In fact, peach and nectarine markets are at their second-highest starting price in the last 10 years.

The International Fresh Produce Association named Gretchen Wall as its director of food safety and quality. IFPA also announced the promotion of Emily Griep to vice president, regulatory compliance and global food-safety standards. The moves are a part of the association’s commitment to serving as the industry’s source of support and advocacy in produce safety.

Honeybear Brands, a leading grower and marketer of premium apples, pears and cherries, continues to grow its direct winter cherry program for retail partners. The company’s dual-hemisphere cherry program provides the highest quality fruit available during winter, direct from Chile, and summer months, domestically from Washington and California. This program ensures retail partners don’t miss premium sales opportunities.

Leaders of the Texas produce industry will be honored Jan. 24 at the Texas International Produce Association’s Hall of Fame Banquet. The Texas Produce Hall of Fame was established in 1988 and has since presented 150 living and posthumous awards and 24 Scott Toothaker Awards to men and women who have contributed a large part of their lives to the betterment of the produce industry throughout Texas. 

A Listeria-prompted recall late last year resulted in Dole temporarily suspending operations from two production facilities; now the company is pulling packaged salads processed at its Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities as well.

Wonderful Pistachios launched a big game campaign to make game day snacking even easier, whether attending in person, or watching from home. For those traveling to the big game, or related viewing parties, a partnership with luxe rideshare service Alto will provide discounted transportation and delicious snacking around Los Angeles over the game day weekend.

The Tom Lange Family of Cos. announced that Greg Reinauer’s role has expanded to include CEO. Reinauer has served as president of Tom Lange Co. Inc. since joining the company in March of 2012 and will continue in that role. Phil Gumpert retired Dec. 31 and stepped down from his role as CEO. The move completes a succession planning process and provides continuity of leadership throughout the enterprise.

The California citrus industry is answering the call to strengthen fresh produce food-safety research. Citrus producers from across the Golden State are making a collective $500,000 contribution to Center for Produce Safety’s research capital campaign to fund produce-specific food-safety research. Their funds will support CPS’s work to identify industry’s top produce safety questions, call on researchers to answer them, then transfer learnings to industry, government, public health and oth...

Ralphs and Kitchen United MIX opened the first kitchen center in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Customers can build their freshly prepared, on-demand restaurant meals from any or all of the participating restaurants. "When our customers think of food, they think of Kroger," said Dan De La Rosa, group vice president of fresh merchandising for Kroger. "The Kitchen United collaboration provides the fresh, on-demand meals our customers crave. It is one more innovative examp...

After many years in leadership roles with multiple media groups in Monterey County, CA, Monica Tovar has been named the new president and CEO of TMD Creative, effective Jan. 24. Her position with the firm will consist of providing marketing strategies, communications and creative services to businesses, government agencies and non-profits.