Newswatch 2009-04-20 (2)

PRODUCE PROMOTION BOARD EYED

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Produce for Better Health Foundation here has begun a dialogue with produce growers regarding the potential development of a national fruit and vegetable research and promotion board in hopes of boosting U.S. produce consumption through marketing, communications and education efforts. Currently, PBH is proposing that $30 million in initial funding for these promotional efforts would be raised via a 0.046% assessment on the market value of produce sold by “first handlers,” or U.S. growers and importers. Levies on growers and importers would make the program similar in structure to federal commodity checkoff programs, such as the Beef Checkoff program, which supports advertising campaigns including “Beef, it's what's for dinner” radio and television ads, and regular retail promotions through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. In response to the new initiative, the United Fresh Produce Association will host an April 22 town hall meeting, led by PBH President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Pivonka and PBH Chairman Paul Klutes of C.H. Robinson, at its annual trade show in Las Vegas this week.

UNITED FRESH HONORS MANAGERS

LAS VEGAS — The United Fresh Produce Association will present its annual Retail Produce Manager Awards to 25 outstanding produce managers representing 21 different supermarket chains, commissaries and independent retailers here at its trade show this week, during its Chairman's Reception and Awards Banquet at the Palazzo Hotel on Thursday night. Selected from a field of hundreds of nominees, the 2009 honorees, in alphabetical order, are: Richard Bixler, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Fernando Bovadilla, Nob Hill Foods; Elden Cave, Food Lion; Malinda Cleveland, Bashas' Dine Market; Nan Day, NAS Lemoore Commissary; Ronald Flosi, Jewel-Osco; Uziel Galvez, Safeway Stores; Humberto Gonzalez, Ralphs; Dustin Haney, Hy-Vee; Robert Hewett, Raley's; Chris Hood, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Greg Hurst, Vons; Ron Inatomi, Gelson's Market; Paula Lucas, Colemans Food Centre; Jeff Mallory, Hy-Vee; Robert Oare, Kroger Co.; Frank Owens, Winn-Dixie Stores; Lequitte Perry, Food City; Abraham Ramirez, Raley's; Donald Rich, Price Chopper Supermarkets/Golub Corp.; John Smith, Brookshire Grocery Co.; George Tataris, Dominick's; Scott Theisen, Blue Goose Market; Timothy Tremblay, Hannaford Bros.; and Brett Warfield, Save Mart. These winners were selected based on their unique efforts to increase produce consumption through merchandising, special displays and promotions, community service and customer service, according to United Fresh. The awards, sponsored by Ready Pac, include airfare, hotel and trade show fees for the managers and their corporate produce directors. In addition, during the banquet, five “Grand Prize” recipients will be awarded an additional $1,000 cash prize.

MANY NOT RESPONDING TO RECALLS

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Almost 85% of Americans pay close attention to news reports about food recalls, and more than 80% say that when they hear about a recall, they warn other people about it. Yet, only 60% of Americans actually look in their own cupboards, refrigerators and freezers for recalled products and only 10% say they have ever actually found a recalled product in their kitchen, according to a survey released last week by Rutgers University's Food Policy Institute. Although 80% also correctly noted that recall activity has increased in recent years, 50% said the recalls had no impact on their lives, and 40% said the foods they bought were less likely to be recalled than foods purchased by other people. The study was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Grocery Manufacturers Association.