Page 4 - Roduce Marketers News Today

Mother Nature continues to play tricks. I mean, who doesn’t expect snow in Southern California? Reports from the West Coast suggest the inclement weather is having the biggest effect on commodities such as lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli and celery. Cauliflower prices specifically are up 8 percent over the previous week to $32. “In a few weeks, cauliflower markets will shift focus from western Arizona, to central California,” said Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ. “A good bit o...

Flavor 1st Growers & Packers, with eight generations of history behind it, grows and packs more than 30 different varieties of produce, all tracked from field to fork using state-of-the-art distribution programs, labeling and procedures. As it has since 1999, the company is looking forward to attending the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show this year, exhibiting at booth No. 1045. 

BrightFarms is expanding with four new regional greenhouse hubs offering sustainably grown leafy greens to more people across the eastern and central U.S. The new locations will begin shipping to retailers in 2024 to help fulfill increasing demand. This expansion and commitment to innovation is expected to set BrightFarms up for tenfold revenue growth.

The Idaho Potato Commission is partnering with Van Leeuwen, a New York-based nationally beloved brand known for its made-from-scratch dairy and vegan ice creams, to create a limited-edition ice cream representing one of America’s favorite food pairings: Idaho potato French fries and milkshakes. The limited-edition malted milkshake flavored ice cream with French fry bites is available to purchase through Van Leeuwen’s website and in all scoop shops in Los Angeles and New York.

As Bland Farms embarks on a voyage to the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure Show on March 2, they head to the Final Frontier with stars in their eyes. And one southern star, in particular, will be lighting up booth No. 1033.  This year, one of the United States’ largest grower/packer/shipper of sweet onions will kick off its presence at the 2023 SEPC Southern Exposure Show with its new Southern Stars Promotion featuring country music star Billy Currington.  

The first winter storm of the year couldn't keep people from packing into Bozzuto's Independent Retailer Conference, held Feb. 28-March 1 in Uncasville, CT. Produce vendors from all over the country were on hand to display their latest products at the two-day event, which was held at Mohegan Sun for the second year. Bozzuto's, headquartered in Cheshire, CT, is a total service wholesale distributor of food and household products to retailers in New England, New York, New Jersey an...

Superfresh Growers will expand its sweet cherry production by 30 percent this summer, thanks to the addition of a state-of-the-art packingline.

After spending nearly a decade researching and developing the latest technology to grow crops at 350 times the yield of conventional field-grown greens, UP Vertical Farms has launched its inaugural facility in Pitt Meadows, BC, alongside its sales and marketing partner Oppy.

James J. Shanley, 61, of Morro Bay, California, died tragically in a swimming accident while on vacation in Costa Rica on Feb. 15. Mr. Shanley was born on July 23, 1961 in Streator, IL, the son of John F. (Jack) Shanley and Patricia (Brennan) Shanley. He graduated from Rockford Boylan High School in 1979 and The University of Illinois-Champaign in 1983.

With more than eight decades of history behind it, Maurice A. Auerbach Inc. has long been a trailblazer when it comes to garlic on the East Coast.  Packing its products under the AuerPak brand name, the company specializes in garlic, shallots and other specialty items, including tropical and Asian produce. It also handles organic garlic, shallots and tofu.