The California Strawberry Commission has breathed life into the fumigant methyl bromide, used on strawberries and numerous other crops such as tomatoes and almonds. Methyl bromide has shown to be an affordable and effective weed and pathogen control soil treatment substance. The issue with respect to methyl bromide use centers on the chemical?s impact on the ozone layer. Rodger Wasson, president of the commission, is a staunch supporter of strawberry growers? need to use methyl bromide until viable alternatives are identified. The commission represents an industry of approximately 600 growers

L&M Cos. announced the opening of its newest logistics office, L&M Transportation Services Inc. located in Selah, WA. L&M Transportation Services Inc. became fully operational March 7 with two logistics specialists in place to handle produce loads sold through L&M?s Selah office. John Drotzmann and Eddie Solis, logistics specialists, will arrange trucks and deliveries for the loads of apples, pears and cherries sold from the L&M Selah office. The logistics presence in the L&M office marks a first for L&M Cos., combining for the first time in one common space the functions of produce sales and

Club Fresh, a fresh produce processor and specialty manufacturer, is opening a new facility shortly in the Los Angeles distribution center of its parent company, JC Produce, based in West Sacramento, CA. The new facility will utilize production space inside JC Produce, creating an integrated production and distribution facility. In addition to state-of-the-art equipment, the processing room will feature low-velocity fan coils to reduce wind chill. This will provide more consistent temperatures in the processing room " one of the many steps that Club Fresh has taken to ensure the best-possible

FRESNO, CA " Alex Ott, director of government relations for the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, has been named to head the California Apple Commission, here. His selection was approved by the commission?s board of directors at a March 7 meeting, according to Kenton Kidd, who will be retiring as president of the commission on April 1. Mr. Ott?s title will be executive director. Mr. Ott told The Produce News that he has been with the league for about five-and-a-half years. Prior to that, he worked for California Assemblyman Mike Briggs as agriculture and water issues director for the

Eric Kimes spent his formative years in Guatemala from age seven to 17 learning about melons from his father. It was an education that comes in handy today. Eric?s father, Michael Kimes, "has been a grower of melons for 20 years in Latin America," with much experience selling fruit into the export market, Mr. Kimes said. Together, father and son launched Continental Produce in February 2004, with a lone office in Carmel, CA. Mr. Kimes? sister, Michele, also works for the company as sales coordinator. Mr. Kimes, 27, described the operation as a broker and shipper of melons, specializing in

After reviewing results of the U.S. Potato Board?s domestic and international marketing programs and discussing the future of those programs on budgets that have been static for more than 20 years, board members voted during the board?s annual meeting March 19 to increase the assessment. Eighty-eight percent supported the funding increase from 2 cents per cwt. to 2.5 cents per cwt., with a delayed start date of March 1, 2006. ?This level of support speaks clearly of the industry's commitment to our strategy and programs," said Ray Meiggs, newly elected chairman of the board and a North