CMI is rolling out its new Sweet Gourmet Pear Program complete with a new 2 box shipping display, and new 2 pound pouch bags for D’Anjou, Red Pear, Bartlett and Bosc varieties. Each pouch bag showcases a deliciously fresh recipe that is centered around each variety and when offered as a program, is sure to increase sales within the category. President, Bob Mast, tells AndNowUKnow, “This is a first for CMI, putting our pears into a pouch bag. We are confident the high impact graphics, centered on easy to make gourmet dishes will attract the consumer to try pear varieties they never have before – which will result in increased sales and repeat purchases. A lot of planning went into designing this into a 2# pouch, over a 1 or 2 pound bag. We wanted to increase the average weight of each pear transaction. CMI will roll out with the Bartlett variety bag with other varieties to follow soon.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Columbine Vineyards is picking up momentum on construction for its new state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Delano, California. Twice as big as the old cold storage and more efficient, this facility serves as a model of energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The project has the possibility of expanding to three phases. The first phase is slated to be completed by June 2014, and entails building a new 204,200 square-foot concrete and steel structure. President, Martin Caratan, tells AndNowUKnow, "We have assembled a team of experts with the goal of building the facility to preserve the shelf life and the nutritional value of the high quality grapes that Columbine Vineyards has produced for many generations.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
