Capital Media Group, a television production company based in Wellington, FL, announces creation of a new Feast Or Famine episode, which takes a look into how food is imported into the United States.

 

Vero Beach and Boynton Beach, FL (January 9, 2009) - Seald Sweet will be featured on the next episode of “Feast Or Famine”, a 5013c, non profit documentary television series. Feast Or Famine is an educational program for the food industry and consumers. The documentaries are provided to organizations such as the FDA, USDA, Universities and Food Associations to educate a vast audience of scientists, researchers and industry professionals about important food and agricultural issues. Additionally, Feast or Famine is broadcast around the world to 127 countries and 100 million viewers a week via Voice of America TV (www.voa.gov) and to 30 million TVhh on The Research Channel (www.researchchannel.org) via The Dish Network. 

 

“The food industry is a large and critical part of any society and the Advisory Board of Feast Or Famine thought it was important to develop scientifically accurate programming to cover the challenges and opportunities in the ever changing global food marketplace,” says Ed Shaland, senior producer for Feast Or Famine. “Globalization is impacting all industries and certainly the food industry is no exception”

 

According to Dr. Gary Lake of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, one of the members of the “Feast Or Famine” Advisory Board, “U.S. consumers are demanding wider varieties of food and they want year around supplies. Importing food into the United States can help meet that growing demand”

 

One of the case studies on the “Global Food Marketplace” episode examines the evolution of the global fresh fruit supply chain, specifically highlighting the sophisticated marketing, distribution and quality control measures which are utilized to ensure the provision and delivery of  high quality fresh citrus all year around.

 

Seald Sweet was selected as a case study, due to the company’s 100 years of experience and its ability to innovate and change”, explains David Holden, executive producer of Feast Or Famine. “Over the years they have become category leaders in sourcing citrus globally and Seald Sweet brought insight and the shoot locations we were looking for in a case study”

 

 

“As a global supplier of fresh citrus and other produce, we have production regions around the world – each with their own unique set of challenges,” says Mayda Sotomayor, CEO Seald Sweet “We must overcome these challenges to ensure our customers receive what they demand, which is a year-round supply of fresh produce. Participating in the Feast or Famine case study gave us a great opportunity to show the world our role in the global food marketplace and some of the adversities we overcome to bring food from the seed to the table.”

 

 

 

“Feast Or Famine” is an Institute for 21^st Century Agriculture educational, non-profit initiative, produced by Capital Media Group in collaboration with the University Of Wisconsin Madison. In order to produce insightful programming,  the show’s producers develop beneficial relationships with thought leaders, award winning scientists, Universities, pioneering industry experts and sponsoring organizations who share their  passion for education and desire to improve the global knowledge of today’s food industry and tomorrow’s farmers.

Seald Sweet International continues to grow and diversify its global strategy. Effective Monday, July 28^th, produce industry leader, Mark Lewis has been appointed Executive Vice President of Seald Sweet, launching an aggressive expansion strategy. Lewis will be in charge of new product development.

 

Mr. Lewis, former director/product leader of Chiquita’s deciduous division and CEO of Richland Sales Co., CA, is accredited with developing and growing several highly successful domestic and import programs globally. Lewis’s expertise will compliment and strengthen Seald Sweet’s continued global growth.

 

“We want to diversify the company and leverage our global presence,” Mayda Sotomayor, Seald Sweet’s CEO said. “Mr. Lewis’s experience and tenure in the industry will help us achieve those objectives. We are excited to have him on our team.”

 

When asked about his plans and strategies, Mr. Lewis explains, “The three most important company goals are:  Customer, customer, customer. Adding value to the trade has been the cornerstone of Univeg’s success in Europe. How we now apply that experience to our U.S. customers is key to our acceptance. It is a privilege to be part of that process.”

 

Univeg, Seald Sweet’s parent company located in Belgium, also continues to grow globally through program development and company acquisitions worldwide.

 

Seald Sweet was founded nearly 100 years ago in 1909 as the grower-owned cooperative, the Florida Citrus Exchange and is Florida’s oldest and largest fresh citrus marketing company. Upon joining Univeg in 1998, Seald Sweet expanded its growing regions and imports programs internationally. The recent business opportunities will further advance this growth & development.

Seald Sweet International welcomes produce industry leader Steve Tursi to their Vero Beach, Florida-based team. Well-known for his tenure with Wal-Mart, Mr. Tursi brings over 22 years of produce industry experience and an extensive background in retail produce merchandising to Seald Sweet.

 

“We are excited to have Steve joining our team and we’re looking forward to the success he will bring to Seald Sweet through his vast experience in the industry,” says Mayda Sotomayor, CEO of Seald Sweet.

 

Tursi will be Seald Sweet’s Vice President of New Business Development, where his expertise in retail marketing and merchandising will compliment Seald Sweet’s nearly 100 year-old organization, and help to further develop the company’s aggressive global expansion. He will be based out of Seald Sweet’s New Jersey office where parent company Univeg has recently opened a state-of-the-art warehouse facility.

 

During Tursi’s career with Wal-Mart, he played a key role in driving consumer, food safety and supply chain initiatives. In his most recent position with Wal-Mart, he directed 11 buyers, procuring vegetables and value added commodities.

 

Tursi began his produce career during high school, stocking shelves for Acme Markets which continued through college. After college he worked as a buyer for American Stores and later joined Wal-Mart’s team.

 

Tursi’s formal education includes a master’s degree in business administration. Among his produce industry accomplishments, he is credited with being selected as Wal-Mart’s Produce Buyer of the Year and Perishable Buyer of the year. He served on PMA’s retail board as well as the main board of directors and he is an original member of the Southeast Produce Council. He is also a graduate of the United Fresh Leadership program.