Page 89 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Williams Sonoma announced a partnership with POM Wonderful, the worldwide leader of California-grown pomegranates. The POM Wonderful team collaborated with Williams Sonoma to develop a unique product line that showcases the one-of-a-kind flavor and versatility of pomegranates. The products will launch as part of POM’s 20th anniversary celebrations and as Williams Sonoma gears up to celebrate the flavors of fall.

Index Fresh is sticking a fork in one of the tastiest California avocado seasons ever. For avocado growers, the 2022 season meant six months of record pricing and returns on their fruit. For consumers of California avocados, the 2022 season meant excellent quality fruit that was available early and often.

Topashaw Farms, based in Vardaman, MS, grows sweet potatoes on 29,000 acres, packing and shipping MS Beauregard variety sweet potatoes year-round. “Our main objective is to provide the industry with the highest quality sweet potato possible,” said Joe Edmondson, owner of the company. “Because our farm is family owned and operated, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that when a consumer purchases a Topashaw Farms sweet potato, their satisfaction is guaranteed.”

As the only grower-owned cooperative in the Red River Valley, with 17 farmers working in Minnesota and North Dakota, Associated Potato Growers, Inc., takes pride in producing high-quality products that are both healthy and delicious. The current potato harvest is in process and as of Sept. 19, it looks like there will be a nice quality of potatoes this upcoming season. That’s a relief to many in the Red River Valley, as last year was not the strongest season.

American Mushroom Institute is rebranding to American Mushroom, the trade association announced. “Similar to our members, our name is our brand. American Mushroom better describes who we are and who we represent: our work is straightforward—we track, influence and monitor everything and anything that impacts or presents opportunities for mushroom businesses,” explained AMI President Rachel Roberts.

Following an extensive call for nominations, the Hass Avocado Board named the recipients of its 20th Anniversary Recognition awards at the September board meeting and commemorated their service with a presentation and award recognition ceremony. The accolades acknowledge individuals for their outstanding commitment and achievements in “Making it Happen” for HAB by establishing and building the organization over the past two decades.

Jared Bray, recently hired as a sales professional is looking to lead the company into the organic avocado space. As a veteran in the produce industry, Bray brings with him expertise in the organic avocado market. Bray brings strong customer service skills with promotional planning, food service, and forecasting experience. Jared comes to Awe Sum as an “avo expert,” knowledgeable of the avocado supply chain from seed to store.

Equifruit, Canada’s leading Fairtrade-certified banana supplier, is comprised of a team of diehard believers in ethical fruit sourcing. The company’s genesis dates back to 2006, originally distributing in Quebec and Ontario. Since that time, Equifruit has grown from supplying a bunch of independent chains to the larger chains in Canada.

The genesis of Nash Produce began in 1977 as a large farming and produce packing and shipping operation focused on cucumbers. In 2006, a group of local growers recognized the need for a packing facility, which led to the purchase of Nash Produce. Since that time, the company has transitioned away from cucumbers to a more singular focus on sweet potatoes.

There is a significant economic benefit on both sides of the border derived from the imports of Hass avocados from Mexico into the U.S. markets. Those were the findings released this week in a study conducted by two researchers at Texas A&M University for the Mexican Hass Avocado Import Association and Asociación de Productores y Empacadores Exportadores de Aguacate de México. The economic analysis of 2021-22 crop year updates several previous analyses on the same subject.