Tom Burfield
‘Excellent’ quality ahead for California's citrus crops
Although USDA's NASS estimated that California’s navel orange crop will be about 42 million 80-pound boxes this season, some grower-shippers estimate that number might be a bit on the heavy side.
Jan 15, 2021 by Tom Burfield
Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season
Consumers typically turn to citrus to load up on vitamin C during cold and flu season, but this year, suppliers hope they’ll stock up on even more grapefruit, oranges, mandarins and lemons to keep COVID-19 at bay.
Jan 15, 2021 by Tom Burfield
Inside the world of cucumbers — Field-grown and greenhouse-grown
Is there a difference between greenhouse-grown and field-grown cucumbers? If so, can consumers pick up on that difference? Yes and no.
Jan 12, 2021 by Tom Burfield
Pandemic spurs greater demand for bagged product
Retail and consumer requests for bagged avocados have been inching upward for the past several years, but the onset of the coronavirus seems to have intensified that demand, grower-shippers say.
Nov 18, 2020 by Tom Burfield
Hass Avocado Board promotes health benefits for diabetes
Hass Avocado Board is creating awareness for research into the role avocados play in promoting good gut health and expanding access to its Avocado Quality Manual Guide to Best Practices.
Nov 17, 2020 by Tom Burfield
Organic produce packaging makes a comeback
The focus on eliminating as much plastic and packaging as possible that permeated the produce industry not too long ago seems to have dissipated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nov 04, 2020 by Tom Burfield
Organic produce gaining ground in grocery stores
It’s a rarity these days to find a supermarket that doesn’t stock at least a limited selection of organic fruits and vegetables, and most stores feature a wide range of organic options to choose from.
Nov 04, 2020 by Tom Burfield
Supermarket sales ‘vibrant’ in the Heartland
The supermarket business in the U.S. Heartland remains “strong and vibrant,” said Anthony Totta, CEO at FreshXperts LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Oct 28, 2020 by Tom Burfield
The evolution of Brussels sprouts: From kids’ worst nightmare to menu mainstay
There was a time, not long ago, that Brussels sprouts were commonly considered yucky – something to be avoided. Today, they’re all the rage. What happened?
Oct 28, 2020 by Tom Burfield
Packer 25 2020 — Christopher Valadez
Since Christopher Valadez officially assumed the presidency of the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California in June of 2019, he has undergone a kind of baptism by fire.
Oct 25, 2020 by Tom Burfield