Pundit’s Mailbag —
Connection Of Two Apple Men
Our piece, Pundit’s Mailbag — Nobel Prize Commentary And Poetry, featured letters from Alick Glass, the founder of Glass Associates Limited in the United Kingdom and Jim Allen, President of the New York Apple Association, who each wrote independently in response to our piece, Pundit Up For Nobel Prize Jim Allen with Alick Glass Now, […]
Got Produce? Next Move
Is To Push For School Salad Bars
During our extensive discussion of the possibility of implementing a national generic promotion program all the way through the decision by the Produce for Better Health Foundation to withdraw from the effort, three things became clear about industry attitudes toward increasing produce consumption: 1. The overwhelming consensus seems to be that the low margins in […]
A&P’s Food Basics Stores
To Open In Connecticut
A&P announced the opening of its first Food Basics store in Connecticut: The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P) (NYSE:GAP) today debuted the first ever Food Basics store in Conn., located at 1700 Park Ave. in Bridgeport, bringing customers quality products at unbeatable prices. The savings never stop at the Bridgeport Food Basics […]
Pundit’s Mailbag —
There’s More To Child Labor
Than Meets The Eye
Our piece, When Child Labor Laws Don’t Necessarily Help Children, brought many phone calls from retailers explaining why they could not possibly be associated with child labor in the fields. Yet it also brought some interesting letters backing the Pundit’s position: As an apple grower in New York, recently introduced to the Perishable Pundit, I […]
Analysts Suggest Ahold Would Be Ripe
For A Tesco Acquisition
Considering the extensive nature of our discussion related to Tesco’s Journey to America as Fresh & Easy, we are often asked what we see as the most likely outcome. It is, of course, unpredictable, but it seems most unlikely that the stores will earn a good return on investment without a significant format change. Yet […]
As Manolo Reyes Takes Over Ron McCormick’s Role, Wal-Mart Squeezes Vendors To Generate Higher Profits
Much is going on at Wal-Mart — some produce specific and some indicative of broader changes in company philosophy. The big news is that Manolo Reyes, a Costco veteran, has taken over the functional role of Ron McCormick’s old position as Vice President/DMM of Produce & Floral, though perhaps with a different title. He will […]
California Leafy Greens Annual Report Reflects A Well Run System For Upholding Food Safety Practices
Out of the ashes of the Spinach crisis of 2006 was born the California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Agreement, which led to the establishment of a sister organization in Arizona and may yet lead to a national organization. Last year, we lauded the willingness of the California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Agreement to decertify companies […]
Got Produce? PBH Puts Fate Of Generic Promotion In Industry’s Hands
We’ve focused on the issue of generic promotion for some time and, in different circumstances, have wound up on different sides of the issue. For example, back in 1998 there was a proposal for the Washington State Apple Commission to get a substantial assessment increase. The plan called for the commission to increase consumer advertising […]
The Next Big Industry Challenge: Water
Water is essential for life, including the life of the produce industry. Although discussions of sustainability have often focused on carbon emission, many experts in the field see water as the issue of the future. Though, in California, it is the issue of today. Working with the Governor, the State Legislature finally came to a […]
When Child Labor Laws
Don’t Necessarily Help Children
When ABC broadcast an exposé on child labor in agriculture and specifically focused on the Adkin Blue Ribbon Packing Company, the reaction was both predictable and inevitable. It was certainly no surprise to us. In a piece published over two years ago in Pundit sister publication, PRODUCE BUSINESS, titled Wages And Social Responsibility, we warned […]
