Mary Wallace Teague's trips to the grocery store have changed a little since she joined the International Fresh- cut Produce Association in Alexandria, VA, as its manager of membership services in October. "I spend way more time in the produce section," she said. Already a big fruit and vegetable eater, Ms. Teague now takes a more specific interest in what IFPA's members are selling and how they are packaging their products as well as keeping an eye out for potential new members for the organization. Ms. Teague, who is just turning 23, is a 2005 graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston

Aunt Mid Produce Co., based on the Detroit Union Produce Terminal, has enjoyed great success with the dressing line it debuted in 2005. The six-flavor line of all-natural dressings complement Aunt Mid's extensive cut product offerings, which can be customized to the firm's clients' requests for cut size and style and for the blends of products such as in mixed lettuce salad items. When it launched the dressing line, Aunt Mid introduced four vinaigrette dressings -- house vinaigrette, house garlic, sun-dried tomato and asiago garlic -- and two sweeter dressing varieties -- raspberry and

One of the nation's leading tree fruit shippers and some of the more beloved characters on children's television are teaming up to bring the health and nutrition of fresh apples and cherries to consumers and retailers nationwide. Stemilt Growers Inc., based in Wenatchee, WA, and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, have partnered to encourage families to enjoy fresh cherries and apples, according to Stemilt Marketing Director Roger Pepperl. Stemilt will present some of its new point-of-purchase displays featuring the Sesame Street characters at the

SALINAS, CA -- A relentless stretch of rainfall has backed up harvesting and planting operations in the Salinas Valley that may have implications in the marketplace in months to come. Harvesting of most commodities in the Salinas Valley has begun within the past few weeks. The harvest is going for commodities such as Romaine, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach. The harvest for Iceberg lettuce starts this week. Ken Silveira, president of Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle, said that rainfall at this time of year is much more problematic than rainfall from January through March. In those months, two

Sambrailo Packaging in Watsonville, CA, will introduce a new clamshell container line at the International Fresh-cut Produce Association convention and exposition in Baltimore that it believes will offer many benefits to users throughout the distribution chain. Tony Cadiente, vice president of new business development/ marketing for Sambrailo, said that the new addition to the company's MIXIM line, known as Snap Flap, is unique for its one-piece construction. The advantages of that construction are numerous. "The one-piece construction prevents the top from falling on the floor, so for

WASHINGTON -- Expect to see an expanded conference program focusing on technical issues such as packaging and food safety, but also a new attention to business management at the April 26-29 International Fresh-cut Produce Association meeting in Baltimore. While the conference program has been expanded, the buzz is likely to be about the newly announced plans to merge IFPA with the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. Despite the consolidation of the two trade associations, the groups plan to continue the fresh-cut expo in years to come, as the groups agree it offers targeted information