November produce sales continue to track ahead
November sales are dominated by the all important Thanksgiving holiday one of the largest retail opportunities in produce and many other retail departments. This makes it a hard-to-beat sales occasion any year. However, throughout October and November, shoppers’ concern over Covid-19 rose along with the number of new cases. This resulted in very different Thanksgiving celebrations versus typical years, with less travel, smaller gatherings and earlier shopping to avoid crowds. Much like seen throughout the year, elevated concern also translated into a greater spending at retail versus foodservice. During the month of November, sales for all food-and-beverage-related items (total edibles) increased 9.3%, which was up from 8.6% during the month of October.
PMA comments on EPA proposed rule on exemptions of Plant Incorporated Protectants
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Rule for Pesticides; Exemptions of Certain Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) Derived from Newer Technologies. The intent of the rule is to streamline regulations to allow for a partial exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) for certain PIPs that are created in plants using biotechnology.
The potential benefits of the proposed rule for the specialty crop sector includes lower costs from reduced regulatory burden, increased research, development, and commercialization of pest control options for farmers and reduced use of conventional pesticides, all of which could provide environmental benefits. The promise and benefits from new technologies such as gene editing are substantial. The final r
December 10, 2020
Founded as Tony Palumbo Mushroom & Trucking in 2010, Palumbo Foods has grown from a one-man operation to a major player in the mushroom industry.
The dream started when founder Tony Palumbo was young and heavily involved with his father’s mushroom-growing business. After years running their successful farm, Tony’s father sold the company and opted for an early retirement. Tony took his knowledge and love for growing mushrooms and turned it into a career, eventually starting his own business.
With a few customers and a few trucks, Tony Palumbo Mushroom & Trucking serviced customers in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. When Tony’s son, Shawn Palumbo, joined in 2013, he set out to make changes to grow the business and compete with the “big guys” across the country.