The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on RRD Produce Co. of Los Angeles for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

RRD failed to pay $174,464 to 17 sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from May 2018 to December 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. RRD cannot operate in the produce industry until Dec. 7, 2022, and then only

COVID-19 can’t stop Stemilt and Hansen Fruit from spreading cheer this holiday season. For the eighth year, the two fruit companies played Santa and granted holiday wishes to 177 children in foster care and low income housing in the Wenatchee and Yakima areas. In Wenatchee, Stemilt provided gifts to 146 children who are currently under the care of Washington State’s Department of Youth and Family Services, Foster First, or Fostering Solutions. In Yakima, Hansen Fruit provided 31 gifts to children of Fostering First in Yakima.

Stemilt’s Community Investment Committee oversees the gift

The big picture for Chilean dehydrated prunes producers and exporters is more positive than negative. Chileprunes said the best water conditions this year and the absence of large frosts, which  wreaked havoc in 2019, make it expect a better season.

The quality of the fruit looks good, with good sizes and with the expectation of generating good sugar content.

A first approximation of how the season will cope relates to a drop in volumes. While it would not be a full harvest, volume should be above the previous season because a lack of winter cold elongated blooms and high thermal

Envy provided the ultimate apple experience in a special way throughout the LA area last month; the popular, category-building apple gave local retailers and shoppers a unique opportunity to show how much they care.

Together with iconic radio personality Ellen K, host of the top-rated KOST 103.5 “The Ellen K Morning Show,” Envy partnered with Gelson’s Markets, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Bristol Farms to raise money this holiday season for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The effort included customized in-store signage, social media, special Ellen K video endorsements and promotions which

Vanguard International has expanded their global sales team with the hiring of Ana Yanez in the role of sales associate.

Yanez will work out of the Vanguard International offices in Visalia, CA, and will be responsible for sales into Latin America and servicing customers in that market. 

“Vanguard’s exceptional global sourcing is a strength I am looking forward to bringing to our customers in the Latin American market, and I could not be more excited to join the Vanguard team,” shared Ana Yanez.

Yanez brings over six years of experience in the produce sales industry managing key accounts

Opal and Accu-Label recently announced they have signed an agreement continuing Opal’s exclusive distribution rights for Accu-Label’s internationally patented automatic high-speed labeling system, across Australia and New Zealand.

Accu-Label, headquartered in Canada, specializes in state-of-the-art, post-harvest fruit and produce labeling technology. The agreement means Opal can provide a key point of differentiation through paper-based labeling technology, which is the first of its kind in the fresh produce industry and an alternative solution to plastic labels.

A key feature of the