Produce News Facebook  Produce News Twitter  Produce News LinkedIn  Produce News Instagram

President Bush approves specialty crops bill

WASHINGTON - Right before the holidays, the produce industry got some good news from Washington. President Bush signed the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act Dec. 21, funneling precious new money into programs that promote fruits and vegetables. Three years in the making, the new law authorizes $54 million annually for five years in grants that are designed to enhance the competitiveness of each state?s fresh produce crops. 'As a model for federal agricultural funding, none of the millions of dollars earmarked for the produce industry will come in the form of direct subsidies," said Western

Frank Basile, long-time employee at Monterey Mushrooms, was 55

Frank Basile, a well-known and well-respected produce industry veteran, died of liver cancer on Dec. 15 at his home in Gilroy, CA. He was 55. Mr. Basile was senior sales manager for the Western region at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville, CA, for more than 22 years. As a sales manager in the produce industry, customer relationships are paramount, and Mr. Basile enjoyed the utmost respect of his many customers, according to Monterey Mushrooms. He made a significant contribution at Monterey; he played a major role in building Monterey?s Western region sales portfolio as well as performing a key

L&M taps experienced veteran for position in Northeast

L&M Cos., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, announced that it has hired Arthur O?Leary as marketing manager for its Northeast operations. Mr. O'Leary will use his 25 years of experience with various industry associations to help build and enhance all the company?s produce segments in the New England and New York regions. In addition, he will be involved in advertisement planning, business programs and product development. For nearly 20 years, Mr. O'Leary served as regional manager for the Northwest Pear Bureau. Covering Canada, metro New York, New Jersey and New England, he worked with retailers

United and restaurant industry to hold supply chain meeting

WASHINGTON -- For the first time, top executives with produce companies and restaurants are planning to meet in early October to open a dialogue about supply-chain issues as part of a new partnership between the National Restaurant Association and the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. United said that the partnership, which was announced Jan. 5, is part of a new focus on supply-chain issues, and the group is exploring a similar initiative to formalize the lines of communication with the retail segment. Reaching out to the restaurant industry first was an easy fit since Jennifer Tong

Food-safety certification helps to build interest in sales for New Limeco LLC

By Tad Thompson A new PrimusLabs Global Certification is proving very beneficial for sales at New Limeco LLC, according to Eddie Caram, the general manager of the Princeton, FL, firm. "This has opened doors to what consumers and the chainstore buyers want," Mr. Caram told The Produce News Jan. 11. In December, the firm's distribution facility and Florida avocado fields were certified with a 97 percent approval rating He added, “People we are partnering with in Guatemala and Belize are also into food safety traceability since it became a big concern for us.” Mr. Caram indicated that New Limeco

USApple's Allison Parker to lead NAM

VIENNA, VA -- The U.S. Apple Association announced Jan. 14 that the National Apple Month program is now being overseen by Allison Parker, USApple's director of consumer health and education. Currently the NAM Retail & Commissary Display contest is sponsored by J.M. Smuckers and Marzetti. The program appreciates its sponsors for their commitment to partnering with the U.S. apple industry on this promotion in an effort to encourage consumption of healthy and delicious apples and apple products along with products that combine well with them like peanut butter and caramel dips. Ms. Parker, a
Body
Gary Robert Curry, CEO of Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, died Sunday, Jan. 23, in Salem, OR, surrounded by his family and friends. Mr. Curry, who succumbed to multiple myeloma, was 61.

A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 27 at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church in Salem, OR.

Born March 4, 1943 in San Diego to Beverly and John Curry, he is survived by his wife, Martha; his sons, Matt and Grant; his daughter, Megan; his daughter-in-law, Kari Ryan Curry; and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother and two brothers, Mike and Paul Curry.

Described as a man whose life was defined by "love of family, work and athletics," Mr. Curry spent his youth in the San Diego area, hiking the nearby hills and swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1961 he enrolled in the University of Oregon on a wrestling scholarship and soon joined the university?s rugby team as well as the Sigma Chi fraternity.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in business in 1966 and an MBA from the University of Oregon in 1968, but it was said that his "most impressive endeavor during his university years was finding and marrying the love of his life, Martha Hunt."

Mr. Curry began his business career working for Ford Motor Co., and in the late 1960s moved to Detroit to work on Lee Iacocca?s "Pinto Project." He and his family moved to Salem, OR, in 1978 to acquire Oregon Onions Inc., now known as Curry & Co.

Mr. Curry?s brother-in-law, Grant Hunt of Grant Hunt Co., said, "Gary brought many innovations to this legendary packer of Lake Labish onions. A pioneer of securing year-round onion supplies for retailers, Gary?s company expanded its international reach, [and] Curry & Co. has subsequently grown to be one of North America?s premier suppliers of not only onions, but also blueberries and other bush berries."

Mr. Hunt added, "While developing his successful agricultural business, he continued to exercise his love of running, skiing and mountain climbing. Gary?s dedication to work and athletics was surpassed only by his commitment to his family. He taught them the value and joy of hard work. He taught them respect and loyalty. He modeled for them the courage to fight for each day and the true value of accepting one?s destiny with grace and dignity."

Mr. Curry will be succeeded as CEO of Curry & Co. by his son Matt, who is currently the company?s president.

Donations in Mr. Curry?s name may be made to the Salem Hospital Foundation/Oncology Department in appreciation of Dr. William Pierce, or to Salud Medical Center, a clinic that provides health care to migrant farmworkers.

Copyright © 2025 The Produce News • Covering Fresh Produce Around the Globe Since 1897