Page 66 - Roduce Editorials News Today

In talking with California orange growers, the transition from Valencias to Navels has already begun — as well as plenty of good-quality imported clementines. There is still a light supply of imported Navel oranges arriving in Philadelphia ports.

With two packinghouses in Mexico in the cities of Uruapan and Jalisco, Calavo has been harvesting, packing and exporting avocados for 25 years to the United States, Asia and Europe. “The industry has grown tremendously over the years,” said Peter Shore, vice president of product management for the Santa Paula, CA-based company, citing the fact that 2.6 billion Mexican avocados will be imported into the U.S. this year. “Calavo has been a leader in the avocado industry since 1924.”

Indoor ag company combining Local Bounti Corp. has partnered with Sam's Club for its leafy greens production starting at its advanced greenhouse facility in Byron, GA. "This exciting commercial development represents a powerful endorsement of our dedicated team that works tirelessly to deliver the highest quality locally grown produce to our customers," said Brian Cook, president of Local Bounti.

In a landmark decision, the court of Bari issued a first-of-its-kind injunction forbidding an Italian grape producer from harvesting or selling any table grapes from unauthorized plantings of Sugrathirtyfive variety (Autumncrisp brand) grapevines. The Sugrathirtyfive grape variety is owned by Sun World International LLC. Under the court’s order, until the infringing vines are removed and replaced, the vineyards are effectively worthless.

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit organization delivering fresh fruits and vegetables alongside nutrition education resources directly into families’ hands, hosted its first gala to celebrate its 10th birthday. As part of the celebration, the nonprofit exceeded it’s $500,000 campaign goal by raising $741,467 to support the company’s mission of helping under-resourced communities throughout the U.S. have access to fresh produce and nutrition education.

Hurricane season is just about over — key words being “just about.” The eastern coast of Florida may be in a strengthening storm’s path, which is the last thing growers in the area want to hear as heavy rains are nearly assured whether or not the storm hits directly.

Over the last 15 to 20 years, dates have become a fruit that people want year-round, while in the past, they were purchased during holidays. That growing demand for dates has kept the people at SunDate busy as the company provides dates for consumers 12 months a year.

Avocado production is vital to the economy of Mexico with the country being the world’s largest producer of the crop, supplying as much as 45 percent of the international avocado market.  The avocado industry has been growing steadily through the years with the U.S. industry set to sell more than 2.6 billion pounds of avocados imported from Mexico in 2022. 

Western Growers held its 96th Annual Meeting Nov. 2-5 at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Attended by key decision-makers from Western Growers member companies, the Annual Meeting brings growers, shippers and processors together with allies and suppliers in the fresh produce industry.

Church Bros. is expanding its team with the hire of Kyle Narciso as its product manager to support its growing value-added product lines for foodservice and retail. Narciso has seven years of experience in the fresh produce industry having worked for companies such as Mann Packing and Ippolito in product management and sales roles.