Author: pundit

Deadlines Approaching For PMA Events/Contests/Award Nominations

PMA and the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA FIT) have recently been bombarding our in-box with deadlines and upcoming events. Thought we would run through a few of these upcoming events: Reggie Griffin, Vice President Produce Procurement and Merchandising of The Kroger Company, has been kind enough to lend his support to The Tip […]

Got Produce? Generic-Promotion Expert Enters Debate With Some Shocking Analysis

As part of our extensive discussion of the proposed generic promotion program for produce, we have often called on the proponents to enlist qualified experts to review the costs and benefits of such a program. Now they have announced that Taylor Farms was kind enough to donate some money so that the Produce for Better […]

Pundit’s Mailbag — Wholesaler’s Struggle With PTI And Real Life Situations

Recently in Pundit sister publication, PRODUCE BUSINESS, Bryan Silbermann, President of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), and the Pundit had an exchange on the issue of traceability and, specifically, the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI). Whereas Bryan pointed out that “Traceability Is Fundamental,” we asked “Will Buyers Ante Up For PTI?” You can read the exchange […]

Dangers And Broader Implications
Of Wal-Mart’s Sustainability Index

Our piece, Wal-Mart Must Include Adequate Return On Capital In Its Sustainability “Index” Or It Will Do More Harm Than Good, brought both comments simple and sweet: Great article… — Rob MummaVice President Sales and Marketing Belair Produce, Inc. Hanover, Maryland And more explanatory: Wonderfully written article with very thoughtful and thought-provoking responses to one […]

Perishable Thoughts — Sins Of Industry Can’t Be Cleansed By Generic Program

With all our discussion of generic promotion we have been intrigued that much of our feedback has identified the industry itself as the cause of low per capita consumption of fresh produce. We published one such letter here, and when we received a Martha Stewart quote on the same subject it seemed worth some attention: […]

Got Produce? Survey Results Show ‘Disappointing Response Rate’

As we headed off to Monterey to attend the PMA Foodservice Conference, we made a point about the way the generic promotion program was going to be dealt with in that venue: …the efforts being conducted are not designed to build consensus. At PMA’s Foodservice Conference, for example, PMA was kind enough to set up […]

A Keynote Speech And
The Future Of Wild Rocket Foods

Back in June, the Pundit volunteered his services to help out the Fresh Produce & Floral Council by keynoting one of their luncheon events. We were told that we attracted the largest crowd in years and the association issued an embarrassingly kind press release: Fresh Produce & Floral Council LUNCHEON A HIT Over 260 attendees […]