Produce

Wal-Mart is muscling in on one of the fastest growing segments of American agriculture: local food. But while the world’s largest retailer has already surpassed a 2010 pledge to double its local produce sales as part of a larger sustainability platform and commitment to small businesses, there’s little evidence of a widespread benefit to small farmers, particularly in the Midwest.

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Simply Fresh Fruit announces that the company has exceeded food safety expectations under the Global Standard for Food Safety, receiving an “A” grade in a certification issued Feb. 8, 2013. …

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 28, 2012. For the full year 2012, the Company reported earnings per diluted share of $2.46, compared with earnings per diluted share of $1.56 in 2011. Excluding asset impairment and other charges and credits, earnings per diluted share for the full year were $2.54, compared with earnings per diluted share of $1.82 for the full year of 2011. …

Limoneira Company, a leading agribusiness with prime agricultural land and operations, real estate and water rights in California, announced that it has priced a public offering of 1,800,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $18.50 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately $33.3 million. The public offering is expected to close on February 20, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is acting as the lead book running manager for this offering. Roth Capital Partners, LLC is acting as co-lead manager of this offering. Feltl and Company Inc. is acting as co-manager of this offering. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 270,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. …

Right now the mid-season oranges are ready for picking, along with those in the late season. The primary mid-season oranges include: the Pineapple Orange, the Seedless Pineapple Orange (to a lesser extent), the Mid Sweet and the Valquarius. The Temple Orange is also ripe late January and early February. …