Page 249 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Franz Warren De Klotz, a fresh produce industry veteran and an integral part of the Southern California produce industry, died last month. He was 60. Mr. De Klotz spent the last four decades bringing his passion, expertise and commitment to multiple food and agriculture companies.

Starr Ranch Growers, known for its top-performing JUICI apples, is proud of the human element behind the scenes of its forward-facing fruit portfolio. “We’re excited about these developments,” Krista Beckstead, brand manager at Starr, said regarding its work to become Fair Trade Certified on 3,300 acres of its Wenatchee and Quincy custom apple packing facilities. “It’s a big accomplishment, taking a little over a year, start to finish, to become certified.”

Tops Friendly Markets and Dole launched the sixth annual Learning Garden contest, which will grant two elementary schools in either upstate New York, Vermont or northern Pennsylvania a Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden. The contest began Jan. 2 and runs until Feb. 28. Two schools will win a comprehensive Learning Garden complete with lesson kits filled with supplies, a schoolyard garden, fully equipped garden cooking cart and strategies for summer garden maintenance.

The success of Envy apples among retailers and consumers has been well-established, but “the consistent-eating JAZZ apple is also a star, with great support from major retailers,” said Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears at Oppy. The company is proud of the markets it has created  over the years for branded apples. “We have the best minds at T&G and Oppy,” Aguirre said, “finding what works to move the dial for these great varieties.”

The apple market is moderate with steady movement. The new crop out of Washington is of superior quality as well as apples in the east. A tighter market remains on smaller sizes, which are generally supplied to schools.

For the sixth year in a row, Dandy Celery, grown by Duda Farm Fresh Foods, announced the return of its largest annual promotion, Dip It 2 Win It. Running through Jan. 14, the sweepstakes aims to elevate healthier snacking and drive in-store as well as online sales during peak football season while also offering fans a chance to win unique prizes ahead of the big game.

The evidence is clear: Poor diets have a significant impact on overall health and disease risk, and when defining healthy diets the importance of fruit and vegetable intake is well-established in the scientific literature and in United States food and nutrition policy.

Learn about the amazing health benefits of soup with an easy slow cooker recipe that will sure to be a hit with the family!

Chiquita bananas, General Mills Big G cereals and Yoplait yogurt are joining forces with their “Go Bananas for Breakfast!” campaign to show that a balanced breakfast doesn’t have to be expensive or hard — sometimes it’s as simple as pairing a bowl of cereal, banana and a yogurt.   Catch shoppers' eyes with bright, Chiquita banana-inspired graphics on select General Mills Big G cereals and Yoplait yogurts at grocery stores nationwide.

Hy-Vee is introducing its new Hy-Vee Retail Security team to retail stores across its eight-state region. The company said the move is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the health and safety of both its customers and employees. Hy-Vee has long worked with third-party security contractors or off-duty law enforcement that work in a security capacity throughout its eight-state region. The goal with this team is to create a consistent look for the security team and consistent approach to custome...