March 17, 2021
Earlier this year Texans were told that their onion marketing order would remain in place at least through this season, but last week the South Texas Onion Committee was surprised with sudden news that the marketing order was immediately being suspended. Now it seems things have changed once again and the USDA will be reinstating both the domestic and international regulations associated with the south Texas onions Federal Marketing Order.
AMS is initiating a rulemaking process to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on a proposed rule to terminate the marketing order. In order to provide for a smooth transition and because the Texas onion season has already started, the requirement for grading and certification services performed by the Federal and Federal-State Inspection Service remain in effect until the rulemaking process concludes, said Sonia N. Jimenez, deputy administrator for Specialty Crops Program.
By
March 17, 2021
With the Tampico district in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas ramping up onion production, Utah-based Onions 52 has moved into a time frame in which it can offer its customers plenty of options.
“March through June are some of the most exciting months for Onions 52,” said Clay Jones, who is director of retail sales for the onion specialist. “This is one of the few timeframes when we have multiple growing areas in production. This is a distinct competitive advantage strategy for Onions 52 to maintain and diversify supply.”
Clay Jones
He noted that Mexico kicked off its shipments in February with Texas starting up in March, and New Mexico is poised to come aboard in May-June. “Between all these regions, we project secure and ample supply through early summer, including reds, whites, yellows, organics and sweets. At this point the main constraint will be organics, particularly yellows, through May. Spring is typically a less plentiful time
March 16, 2021
Sliced apples specialist Crunch Pak hired Andy Kimbrel as director of sales and marketing. Kimbrel comes to the company with 12 years of experience in the footwear industry at LaCrosse Footwear Inc., where he directed regional sales for several premium footwear brands and managed accounts such as REI, Filson, Scheels, Zappos, and federal and local governments.
In addition to his sales and marketing roles at Crunch Pak, Kimbrel is charged with helping further grow brand awareness.
“All sales and marketing departments benefit from increased collaboration; we anticipate Andy’s experience with national retail accounts will bring us a fresh perspective and energize our team,” said Tony Freytag, executive vice president of sales and marketing.
By
March 16, 2021
Longtime grape grower and co-owner of Anthony Vineyards Robert (Bobby) Bianco died unexpectedly at 78 on March 6 after undergoing a routing medical procedure.
Mr. Bianco, along with his brother Dominic (Cookie) Bianco, was long associated with Sun World Inc. and was credited with being the first commercial grower of the red Flame Seedless grape in the mid-1970s. The brothers Bianco vertically integrated in the 1990s when they established Anthony Vineyards as a shipping operation as well as grower entity. Over the years, Anthony Vineyards established extensive operations in both the San Joaquin Valley and Coachella Valley.
Though the two brothers worked closely together and were involved in all aspects of the operation, longtime Sales Manager John Hartley told
By
March 16, 2021
Sandpoint, ID-based Litehouse Foods has developed a new line of refrigerated salad dressings to deliver on the product attributes today’s consumers are looking for, including fewer calories, less sugar, fewer ingredients, more flavor and a thicker formulation.
“The Purely Balanced product line is our new Greek yogurt-based salad dressing, and a complement to the Litehouse brand,” said Krystle Turnbull, product manager for Litehouse Foods.
“From consumer feedback, we knew there was a desire for a thicker Greek-yogurt based dressing,” said Turnbull. “We took this into account during product formulation and developed a thicker dressing, which was a perfect match for the convenient plastic squeeze bottle.”