San Francisco-based Sundia Corp. announced that Sunkist Growers Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gargiulo has joined the company as its chairman of the board of directors and advisors. Brad Oberwager, CEO and founder of Sundia, told The Produce News that Mr. Gargiulo's role would be a "strategic" one. "Someone like Jeff doesn't have to put in 100 hours a week to have an impact," Mr. Oberwager said. Mr. Gargiulo announced in January that he would not renew his contract with Sunkist and that he would leave the company in June after five years as president and chief executive officer. Sundia Corp. --

The following are the main points to the recently announced proposed merger of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association. --- Current United President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Stenzel will retain those titles for the new United Fresh Produce Association. Current IFPA President Jerry Welcome will become executive vice president of business development. --- Both the United Produce Show and the Fresh-cut Expo will continued to be held separately, with the United show concentrating on marketing and merchandising, and the fresh-cut

Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission in Irvine, CA, was elected chairman of the Produce for Better Health Foundation's board of trustees at its 2006 annual meeting earlier this month in San Francisco. Ms. DeLyser most recently served as vice chairman of the organization. The board of trustees recognized the service of outgoing 2005 Chairman of the Board David Parker, director of marketing for Fruit Patch Sales in Dinuba, CA, who remains on the executive committee as immediate past chairman. Mike O'Brien, vice president of produce for Schnuck Markets in

WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association announced April 19 that they will pool their resources and merge thir organizations to become the United Fresh Produce Association by the end of the year. The new marriage reflects a consolidating industry, stepped up food-safety pressures and the ever-increasing blurred line between processing and other sectors of the supply chain. "This is a merger of two strong, independent and respected associations, and a major step forward for both IFPA and United members, and the entire

With the rapid growth of organic sales in supermarkets, retailers need more information about the category. In grand style, Indianapolis Fruit Co. in Indianapolis is answering many of the questions. On April 24-25 the produce distributor will host 200 industry members for a sophisticated, invitation-only seminar titled "Winning at Retail: Developing Organics as a Strategic Point of Difference." The company's Shane Towne, who has a background in organic produce, is organizing the seminar. Mr. Towne is marketing and new business development coordinator for Indianapolis Fruit. Those attending the

WASHINGTON -- The leadership of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association and the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced April 19 their intent to combine forces to deliver the highest possible level of value to members and meet today's critical challenges facing the fresh produce industry. "This is a merger of two strong, independent and respected associations and a major step forward for both IFPA and United members and the entire produce industry," IFPA Chairman Mark Miller of Fresh From Texas in San Antonio, TX, said in a statement. "With our combined board leadership