By Breanna Kendrick Consumers are driving what produce reaches the market. It’s critical that farmers are able to recognize these demands and are able to accommodate them. Jeff Stepanovich, with Florida Specialties LLC in Immokalee, Florida, recently visited the New York Produce Show in New York City to promote his business. There, he shared with AgNet Media what consumer trends …
Southeastern Growers Kick Off 2019 at Industry-Wide Conference
Every year, the southeastern fruit and vegetable industry starts a new year together at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC), and 2019 was no different. Thousands of growers, packers, shippers, industry leaders and educators gathered together in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 10–13 at one of the industry’s biggest regional events. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …
Biofortified Fruits and Vegetables Bring Benefits
By Jaya Joshi Every morning, more than half the American population takes a multivitamin in the belief that the pharmaceutical industry has boiled down the benefits of bananas, sweet potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes into a pill. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey program, 10 percent of Americans rely on five or more supplements of some kind for …
Georgia Blueberry Growers Focusing on Bush Health and Labor
After suffering from late freezes during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Georgia blueberry growers are focusing on mending bush health. Brandon Wade, grower and president of the Georgia Blueberry Growers Association (GBGA), says growers have had a tough couple seasons due to the freezes. Disease pressure has been prevalent as well. According to Wade, the freezes opened the window for …
UF ‘Plant Whisperer’ Helps Floridians Keep Produce Lush, Green and Safe
APOPKA, Fla. – Liz Felter gazes at the tomato plant and considers it quietly for a few seconds. Stroking the discolored leaves, she sticks two fingers in the soil and pushes the dirt down. “My gut tells me it’s not Erwinia,” says Felter, a University of Florida IFAS Extension regional specialized agent. The visitor to the UF/IFAS Diagnostic Plant Clinic …
Visit VSCNews at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
VSCNews is excited to return to the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC) on Jan. 10–13 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Each year, SERFVC provides a great opportunity to mingle with fellow industry members and kick off the new year. SERFVC, sponsored by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and the …
Desantis Urged to Help Farmers on Trade Deal
Incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis is being urged to use his close ties with President Donald Trump to bolster efforts to help Florida farmers fend off low-priced crop imports that weren’t addressed in the rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement. During a conference call last week, several members of DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & …
GFVGA Welcomes New President
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will welcome a new president in January. Aries Haygood — current vice president of the GFVGA, vice chair of the Vidalia Onion Committee and grower at M&T Farms — will succeed Mike Bruorton as GFVGA president. Haygood says he is excited to take his seat as GFVGA president at the start of …
PMA Aims to ‘Grow A Healthier World’
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has a busy year ahead. Cathy Burns, PMA CEO, says, “In short, we’re going to grow a healthier world.” Food safety will be a big focus for PMA in 2019 and beyond. “A real barrier to growing a healthier world is if people are getting sick eating our product,” she says. During the PMA Fresh …
Expanding Conference Aims to Engage Seed Industry
Seed industry members should mark their calendars for the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference. This event will take place Feb. 1–5, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA, says the Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference has rapidly grown over the years. “It’s becoming quite the …