The Central American Free Trade Agreement, which is largely supported by the U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable industry, may have a tough time in Congress when it begins ratification hearings in April. Ken Gilliland, director of international trade for Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association, said that WGA has publicly supported CAFTA "as there is no downside for our members." Mr. Gilliland explained that because of the Caribbean Basin Initiative of the 1980s, the countries involved in CAFTA " Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic " already enjoy

The New England Produce Council?s Produce & Floral Expo, set for April 6 in Boston, features "a number of different events, and the [trade show] is a very important part of it," said Robert McGowan, president of the council. Mr. McGowan works for Advantage/ESM in Needham, MA, which represents "food and non-food manufacturers," he told The Produce News. "My area of expertise is produce," with clients such as "Dole? salads "Sun Maid? raisins. Advantage/ESM "is a broad-based sales and marketing company, offering different levels of retail service." The company employs 15,000 people across the

FFVA Director of Environmental & Pest Management Dan Botts has been named to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education & Economics Advisory Board?s Specialty Crop Committee. The new committee is responsible for studying the scope and effectiveness of research, extension and economic programs affecting the specialty crop industry. ?The committee makes recommendations to USDA on critical agriculture policies, and we are gratified to have someone of Dan?s expertise sitting at the table," said FFVA President Mike Stuart. The committee was established by Congress under Section 303 of

It was a red-letter day for Stemilt Growers Inc., along with 10 other companies, when the national fruit grower and packer received the Produce for Better Health Foundation?s Diamond Crystal award on March 12. The award recognizes the company?s outstanding efforts to promote consumption of fruits and vegetables for better health. Ten other companies joined Stemilt on the platform, receiving National 5 A Day Excellence awards for their fruit and vegetable promotion and education efforts. Stemilt, based in Wenatchee, WA, was recognized by PBH for its many 2004 activities to grow fruit and

FRESNO, CA " The term Renaissance man is frequently used to describe someone who has diverse talents and broad interests, and that is certainly an appropriate characterization of Kenton Kidd, who will retire April 1 from the California Apple Commission over which he has presided since its founding. As everyone who knows him will attest, he?s a great storyteller with a seemingly inexhaustible repertoire. His story-telling ability is enhanced by his resonant baritone voice and by his ability to switch effortlessly from a flawless Jimmy Stewart impression to a cartoon character impression and

Christopher Ranch, a leading U.S. garlic grower, packer and shipper based in Gilroy, CA, announced the hiring of Frank Russo as sales manager of its New Jersey Division, which is located in Edison. Maintaining daily sales with all New Jersey customers as well as pursuing new business leads in wholesale and foodservice accounts, he will report to Anthony DeAngelis, director of Northeast operations. Mr. Russo, who started with Christopher Ranch on Feb. 14, will also assist in the management of large import purchases arriving at the New Jersey facility. ?I am very happy to have Frank on board,"