Produce

Farmers continue to struggle with hot, dry weather, but there is one crop that’s thriving. “I’ve never ever seen it like this,” Earl Kidston, one of the principals in the Nova Agri-Group, owner of Blueberry Acres, said in an interview at the Sheffield Mills, Kings County, farm Tuesday. …

More than 250 representatives of the international apple and pear sector met on the occasion of the 36th Prognosfruit Conference on 3rd August 2012 in Toulouse (France). On this occasion, WAPA (World Apple and Pear Association) released the 2012 European apple and pear crop estimates. The 2012 apple and pear production in the EU will be significantly lower than average given unfavourable climatic conditions in winter and spring across Europe. Apples will decrease by 9% compared to the previous year while pears are estimated to have a lower crop by 22% compared to 2011. …

NoKota Packers, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has joined Fresh Solutions Network, LLC, a partnership of multi-generational potato and onion companies committed to driving profitable category growth through innovative marketing, category management and operational solutions. …

Last week at its summer meeting of the board of directors, Western Growers voted to endorse the candidacy of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Gov. Mitt Romney. …

Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce that Bob Catinella has joined the company as the Regional Marketing Manager responsible for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. territory. …