Page 98 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Brighter Bites, a Houston, TX-based nonprofit providing under-resourced families with fresh produce and nutrition education, has received a $300,000 Empowering Health grant from UnitedHealthcare to expand its programming into San Antonio. This funding will help serve areas with high rates of food insecurity and diet-related diseases in the San Antonio area by providing fresh produce and comprehensive nutrition education to children and families.

Square Roots, a technology leader in indoor farming, now sells its fresh, long-lasting produce in Meijer’s branded stores in four Midwestern states, meeting the increasing consumer demand for local food that is delicious, nutritious and responsibly farmed.

With 20 years of experience directly importing mangos from South and Central America, one could certainly say that Mamaroneck, NY-based Panorama Produce Sales has mastered the art of mangos. “We specialize in mangos and we have an onsite inspector who inspects every pallet for quality, condition, pressure, Brix and internal color,” said Eric Nagelberg, who handles imports and sales for the company.

Easy Rider, The Wild One, The Produce News? Sturgis is over — now the real motorcycle rally can begin. Bikes elicit the passion that those in the produce industry are known for, so TPN asked you to show us your rides and you responded. The Produce News' bike rally got Hog Wild, so get a look at what some of your fellow industry friends and colleagues ride when they take to the open road.

In partnership with customers, Food Lion will help provide at least 1 million meals to neighbors facing hunger through its annual Food Lion Feeds Apple Bag campaign. The campaign runs Sept. 14-Oct. 4 and benefits Feeding America and local partner member food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.

Troia Foods has partnered with e-commerce technology company Pepper to power its customer ordering and payments experience. The online platform will seamlessly integrate with their ERP and provide all Troia customers a faster, streamlined, and more reliable ordering and payments experience accessible on phone or computer.

Fresh Farms, a leading shipper of table grapes based in Rio Rico, AZ, is expecting lighter volume on its California production this year due to a frost that occurred during the growing cycle. The company wrapped up its Mexican grape season around July 11 and started its California deal that same week out of its offices and cold storage facility in Kingsburg, CA. Fresh Farms said California production would be down by about 10-12 percent, though the initial quality of the grapes has been outstand...

Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee, WA, kicks off apple harvest with a 21-stop cross-country trek to promote early season club varietal Rave apples. The Produce News caught up with Brianna Shales, marketing director at Stemilt, on the road on the first leg of Stemilt’s Great American Rave Race. Shales said, “Rave  comes and goes in a flash –– it is a limited time offering, so get it while you can!”

Lancaster Foods has been a staple in the Baltimore area for decades, operating out of a 220,000-square-foot state-of-the-art distribution and processing center in Jessup, MA, employing more than 700 employees. “Lancaster Foods was started in 1986 by myself and my brother,” said John Gates, co-founder and president of the company. “We have enjoyed steady growth since inception, but particularly over the last few years.”

Before we know it, the fall equinox will arrive Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, officially announcing it is autumn once again. Soon there will be displays of fall apples, pears, cider and pumpkins in the stores. And add hard squash, gourds, decorative corn, persimmons, pomegranates and cranberries to the list.