Fresh Cut Magazine

Cool Creations

The past two decades have seen exceptional growth for C&C Produce. Sales have risen every year they have been in business, and the customer base has spread across the Great Plains and Midwest to meet the needs of retailers and food service outlets. But it is the sister company, Cool Creations, that has defied expectations, dramatically expanding its line of value-added products in only a year's time. C&C ProduceThe C&C Produce story dates back to 1992 when the doors opened as a produce wholesaler in Kansas City. Growth has been steady during the past 20 years. "Our business just continued to grow, and we've grown in double digits every year by giving our customers exceptional customer service and quality," said Nick Conforti, C&C Produce co-owner and vice president. The company serves customers in a 750-mile radius around Kansas City that stretches across Missouri and Kansas,…  » Read more

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E-Verify Splits Ag

E-Verify, the electronic verification system for U.S. worker eligibility managed by the Department of Homeland Security, is a voluntary system used by 287,000 employers in the United States. The site will handle an expected 16 million cases this year, and that is expected to increase as more states mandate E-Verify. There is a push in Congress to mandate E-Verify on a national level, which has agricultural producers worried about finding labor in an already tough environment. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) has pushed for mandatory E-Verify for years, and this may be his final opportunity to get it through. The Smith bill passed conference this summer and will now be debated on the House floor. Smith submitted another bill to address the guest worker issue, but it is unlikely to pass as it is written. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) attempted to attach an amendment to Smith's E-Verify bill…  » Read more

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FDA On-Farm Inspections

The Food Safety Modernization Act has tasked FDA with improving the food safety of the U.S. food supply, and imported food products are a focus for the agency. Typically, FDA has not conducted on-farm audits, but this is changing as the agency is tasked with certifying imports. "We have an emerging interest in farm inspections," said Crystal McKenna, produce safety specialist with the Office of Compliance. "I think the trend is going to increase." On-farm inspections are just one way FDA is addressing the challenge of food imports. About 15 percent of the U.S. food supply is imported, including 45 percent of fresh fruits. There are more finished products coming, and the supply chain is becoming increasingly high-tech and complex. Currently, the criteria for selecting farms for inspections is from information provided on the entry data forms, as well as the volume of the product…  » Read more

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