Opinion

Grocery shopping habits change with newborn in tow

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:32:15 GMT

My Aisle Wandering ways evolved over the past year.

Oregon wades into the watermelon market

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:36:48 GMT

Labor Day, the summer-ending holiday, is just weeks away. Out here on the left coast, that means firing up the barbecues and icing down those San Joaquin Valley-grown watermelons.

Create displays with serving ideas in mind

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:22:59 GMT

Ever notice how on many products there is a “suggested serving” photo on the box? Of course, it’s part of playing on our visual stimuli. It occurs in retail packs and even on restaurant menus.

Letter: RPC category's growth shows the concept is catching on

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The growth of reusable plastic containers for produce has consistently increased since they were introduced into the U.S. market in 1996.

PBH plan deserves honest debate

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:30:00 GMT

It’s reasonable to be for or against the Produce for Better Health Foundation proposed national generic promotion for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Make sure to feed the flexivores

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:23:41 GMT

The rising popularity of a concept Kim Rothstein referred to as “flexitarianism” during a session she hosted at PMA’s foodservice conference in late July should bolster produce’s appearance on menus.

Warmer climate could pose challenges for crops

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:31:52 GMT

It’s interesting — and painful — to see how far the nation’s retailers, fighting the recession tooth and nail, will go to lure customers back into stores.

Having a meeting about having a meeting

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:28:20 GMT

Did you hear the one about the guy described as an “outstanding” student? It’s followed by the punch line, “True, he was always out standing in the hall.”

Concerns remain on food safety bill

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:45:00 GMT

The House of Representatives passed a needed food safety reform bill with substantial bipartisan support on July 30.

PMA foodservice expo underscores need to educate

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:42:00 GMT

MONTEREY, Calif. — While fresh fruits and vegetables are the reason for the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference & Exposition, celebrity foodies and chefs bring the star power.

How to reduce shrinkage and stock-out costs in tree fruit

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:48:16 GMT

The Washington State tree fruit industry loses 5% to 12% of potential revenue because of costs associated with inventory shrinkage and 1% of revenue because of costs associated with stock-outs.

Article draws fire for criticizing lax organic standards

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:37:11 GMT

A July 3 Washington Post story suggesting oversight of organic standards has been lax drew criticism from the Organic Trade Association and one of the sources quoted.

Must-read list can help guide produce managers

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:42:09 GMT

I received an e-mail from a new produce buyer recently, who, like many, was thrown into the job to learn as they go. This isn’t necessarily such a bad route to take.

Florida's citrus growers weather trying times

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:43:24 GMT

Growers and packers of Florida’s signature crop are being battered on all sides by destructive diseases that are thrashing groves, higher production costs, high juice inventories and low consumer demand for high-priced orange juice.

Lawmakers should understand what they regulate

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Rules, laws, regulations are coming in cascades. The main source for new jobs now is government. The debts pile up.
Food safety legislation is making its way through Congress this summer.

Keep fighting on card check

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:00:00 GMT

A provision to strip workers of their right to vote in secret for or against union membership may have been removed from a bill currently before the U.S. Senate, but it’s far from dead.

Sturdy industry relationship with FDA will be tested

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It may be astounding to say, but the industry’s relationship with the Food and Drug Administration is better than it was a few years ago.

Fresh Talk chat — Frank Gasperini, National Council of Agricultural Employers

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:18:44 GMT

The Packer will regularly run excerpts of online chats that are published in its Fresh Talk blog. The Packer’s National Editor Tom Karst on July 17 had a chance to chat with Frank Gasperini, executive vice president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, Washington, D.C.

Calories don't count for some consumers

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Restaurant owners, congressmen, local lawmakers and even restaurant goers themselves seem to be convinced that putting calorie, fat and sodium counts on menus would drastically change the way America eats. Empirical evidence, however, supports a different idea.

Growers think retailers make all the money

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:04:46 GMT

I was fortunate to go to Chile in early 1991. Our small group visited beautiful orchards, vineyards and immaculate packing sheds. The trip even included a trip to the port of Valparaiso. There we saw a huge ocean vessel being loaded for the two-week voyage to Philadelphia.

Salinas rodeo shines a spotlight on the valley's rich history

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:14:39 GMT

It’s the week of the California Rodeo Salinas, one of the biggest stops on the national rodeo circuit, and a week full of parades, parties, cowboy poetry, calf dressing, bull-riding, and my personal favorite, mutton busting. (A close second is cowboy poetry; nothing makes me misty-eyed like a man in chaps reciting verse).

COOL compliance shouldn't hurt

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:17:32 GMT

Now that it’s finally the law, all those involved in fresh produce country-of-origin labeling might as well make the best of it.

Act now: Government is doing more than ever

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:44:32 GMT

Over the past few months, a very real wave of change has been building for the business and regulatory climate of the fresh produce industry.

Hispanic influence on grocery markets benefits produce

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:21:58 GMT

The best thing, hands-down, about living where I do is the produce department. I often gush about the bounty to be had here. Produce departments are bigger, brighter, fresher and just … well, I’m going to sound like a Texan, but really, they’re better than anywhere else I’ve been.

Being 'our season,' summer has its requirements

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:58:11 GMT

Even though most produce departments have just about everything available on a year-round basis, there is still the idea that summer is “our season,” even though we have just as much real estate to work, summertime or not. The difference of course, is the volume of sales we have now compared to late October.

Menu labeling won't cure the obesity crisis

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:38:47 GMT

Six pack abs and bulging pecs are right around the corner — for all Californians. What’s about to deliver the miraculous transformation, you see, is a law that as of July 1 requires 17,000 of the state’s foodservice operators to have at the ready brochures listing calories, sodium, saturated fat and carbohydrates for each menu item. Interestingly, restaurants that feature buffets are exempted. By 2011, the calorie info will have to be printed on menus.