The New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, announced the launch of its annual contest for defense commissaries, which encourages creating big displays of New York-grown apples. "Over the years, we've worked closely with the Defense Commissary Agency to encourage [it] to promote New York apples in the commissaries," said David McClurg, vice president of marketing for the association. The contest asks commissaries to construct apple displays that identify or mention New York state apples or use the NYAA's "Apple Country" logo. Displays must include a minimum of three apple varieties, either

Pro*Act in Monterey, CA, has appointed Kirk Massey to its director of client services post. Mr. Massey brings over 20 years of foodservice produce management experience and produce knowledge to the position at Pro*Act. Since 1997, he has been the produce business manager at Shamrock Foods in Denver. His responsibilities included managing procurement, marketing, sales and operations for produce at the broadline distributor. Mr. Massey began his foodservice distribution career as a sales representative in the Fort Worth, TX, foodservice market. He comes from a culinary background and has worked

EurepGAP has announced its new board of directors. The board has four retailer and four supplier seats. From the retail and foodservice side of the industry are board members Alfons Schmid, vice president of food safety and consumer affairs of Holland-based Ahold, Horst Lang of Globus SB Warenhaus in Germany, Johann Zueblin of Migros, and Stephen Ridge, technical solutions director of U.K. retailer Somerfield. Supplier members are Benito Orihuel, manager of the quality department of Spain's Anecoop S. Coop.; Josse de Baerdemaeker, chairman of the board of Belgium's fruit and vegetable

The board of directors of the Organic Trade Association in Greenfield, MA, announced Feb. 1 that it has selected Caren Wilcox as its new executive director. Ms. Wilcox, who will begin work at the association in March, will succeed Katherine DiMatteo, the association's original executive director, who served in that role since 1990. "The Organic Trade Association is delighted to welcome Caren. Under her leadership, the OTA board expects that OTA will continue to grow as an organization and as the primary source for information on the organic business community, building on the strong foundation

Lowell Catlett, agricultural authority and professor from New Mexico State University, will give the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Washington Growers Clearing House Feb. 7 in Wenatchee, WA. Dr. Catlett's address is titled, "Tomorrows Agriculture: Six Trends You Cant Afford to Miss." WGCH Assistant Manager Dan Kelly said, This is the first time weve had a major speaker like this. Dr. Catlett serves as a consultant to the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Interior, Defense and Labor, and is well known for his motivating and insightful presentations. He is an exciting futurist

On Jan. 26, the Vidalia Onion Committee in Vidalia, GA, announced its 2006 committee members and officers. At the committee's monthly meeting held on Jan. 19, a representative of the USDA seated the members who were chosen during elections held in September 2005. The slate of elected members was approved by the secretary of agriculture. According to the VOC, members seated are Ralph Cavender of Claxton, GA; Danny Ray of Glennville, GA; Kevin Hendrix of Metter, GA; C. Alan Sikes of Collins, GA; John Shuman of Reidsville, GA; Terry Gerrald of Statesboro, GA; Ronnie McLeod of Reidsville, GA