Ready Pac

Irwindale's Redevelopment Agency and Ready Pac Produce in Pasadena have completed an agreement that calls for $8.45 million in bonds to be issued in the name of the agency to raise money for Ready Pac's new Irwindale facility. Irwindale City Manager David Caretto said the city's redevelopment agency has loaned its name to the taxable bonds but has been assured by its legal counsel that the city will not be liable for paying them back if Ready Pac defaults.

Ready Pac Produce Inc. of Irwindale said a nationwide spinach recall caused by an E. coli outbreak had prompted the closure of a salad processing plant in Plymouth, Ind., that employed about 200 people.

More than three decades ago, produce man Dennis Gertmenian purchased a bathtub, a butcher block, a couple of knives and some plastic bags so he could quickly fill an order for pre-cut salads from one of his family-owned company's biggest clients. It was the start of a business that Gertmenian, chairman of Irwindale-based Ready Pac Produce Inc., continues to build. Earlier this month, Ready Pac acquired Tanimura & Antle Inc.'

More than three decades ago, produce man Dennis Gertmenian purchased a bathtub, a butcher block, a couple of knives and some plastic bags so he could quickly fill an order for pre-cut salads from one of his family-owned company's biggest clients. It was the start of a business that Gertmenian, chairman of Irwindale-based Ready Pac Produce Inc., continues to build. Earlier this month, Ready Pac acquired Tanimura & Antle Inc.'

Because owners of an Irwindale property made an irresistible offer, a major private employer in northwest Pasadena has elected to move, striking a blow to a state program to encourage business and jobs in that area. Ready Pac Produce, which employs more than 450 people in its plant on North Fair Oaks Avenue, will consolidate all of its facilities within three years at a 24-acre site now owned by a health care firm, a company official said this week.

Ready Pac Produce Inc. of Irwindale said a nationwide spinach recall caused by an E. coli outbreak had prompted the closure of a salad processing plant in Plymouth, Ind., that employed about 200 people.

Dennis Gertmenian had a big problem. His father had left town and put him in charge of the family produce business. Then the company's biggest client called and threatened to pull his account in favor of a processor that could provide packaged ready-to-eat salads. Terrified of what he might have to tell his father, Gertmenian promised the client he would match the service.

This is how nuts the Pacific 10 Conference race has been: Five weeks ago, the coach of the year was Oregon's Jerry Green. Four weeks ago it was Stanford's Mike Montgomery, three weeks ago it was Arizona's Lute Olson, two weeks ago it was UCLA's Steve Lavin and last week it was California's Ben Braun. This week it's USC's Henry Bibby. Next week we're guessing Washington's Bob Bender. Trying to get a read on the Pac-10 is like trying to get a read on Dennis Rodman.

No more washing and drying lettuce, no more tearing into bite-sized pieces. Now there's salad-in-a-bag--almost any combination of greens and chicories you can think of, from Ready Pac's mostly iceberg All American Mix to Kenter Canyon Farm's box of pedigreed baby romaines. Just dump in a bowl, dress and devour. Of course, such convenience has a price tag. Five minutes saved can mean a whopping 400% markup.

Fill these decorative bottles, which have pour spouts, with oil or vinegar. Put them on the kitchen counter for easy access. They're nicer to look at than a big bottle of oil and take up less counter space. Decorative bottles, $13.99, from Gourmet Imports, 921 Meridian Ave., Unit B, South Pasadena. (626) 441-9600. Microwaveable Bags of Greens A bag of either Ready Pac's new washed Spinach or Leafy Greens Blend makes for quick-cooking fresh greens.

Dennis Gertmenian had a big problem. His father had left town and put him in charge of the family produce business. Then the company's biggest client called and threatened to pull his account in favor of a processor that could provide packaged ready-to-eat salads. Terrified of what he might have to tell his father, Gertmenian promised the client he would match the service.

This is how nuts the Pacific 10 Conference race has been: Five weeks ago, the coach of the year was Oregon's Jerry Green. Four weeks ago it was Stanford's Mike Montgomery, three weeks ago it was Arizona's Lute Olson, two weeks ago it was UCLA's Steve Lavin and last week it was California's Ben Braun. This week it's USC's Henry Bibby. Next week we're guessing Washington's Bob Bender. Trying to get a read on the Pac-10 is like trying to get a read on Dennis Rodman.

Irwindale's Redevelopment Agency and Ready Pac Produce in Pasadena have completed an agreement that calls for $8.45 million in bonds to be issued in the name of the agency to raise money for Ready Pac's new Irwindale facility. Irwindale City Manager David Caretto said the city's redevelopment agency has loaned its name to the taxable bonds but has been assured by its legal counsel that the city will not be liable for paying them back if Ready Pac defaults.

Because owners of an Irwindale property made an irresistible offer, a major private employer in northwest Pasadena has elected to move, striking a blow to a state program to encourage business and jobs in that area. Ready Pac Produce, which employs more than 450 people in its plant on North Fair Oaks Avenue, will consolidate all of its facilities within three years at a 24-acre site now owned by a health care firm, a company official said this week.

Taco Bell fired its produce provider in the Northeastern states after green onions supplied by the company were suspected in an E. coli outbreak believed to have sickened more than 160 people, company officials said Saturday. The Irvine-based Mexican food chain also said that it had tested more than 150 ingredients from its restaurants and, with the exception of a preliminary positive result for green onions, everything was contamination-free.