WASHINGTON -- At the kickoff of the Washington Public Policy Conference Sept. 12, the newly formed United Fresh Produce Association will share its new logo, staff structure, a combined board of directors and the vision for an organization that will reach out to newly added fresh-cut industry members. The conference itself will not look much different from past Washington Public Policy Conference gatherings, said Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, which is merging with the International Fresh-cut Produce Association. "The biggest change will be the people

Sundia Corp., maker of watermelon juice and marketer of fresh watermelons, announced that it has expanded distribution into Hong Kong and Canada. Sundia watermelon juices are now exclusively available at CitySuper Stores in Hong Kong, while nearly a dozen retailers will be selling the juices in Canada by the end of September. "Watermelon juice is extremely popular throughout Asia," Brad Oberwager, chief executive officer of San Francisco-based Sundia Corp., said in a statement. "CitySuper stores in Hong Kong are the ideal purveyors for the juice in Hong Kong. Their stores are designed for busy

Joseph A. Duda, president and chief executive officer of A. Duda & Sons Inc. in Oviedo, FL, announced the appointment of key executives at two of the corporation's wholly owned subsidiary companies: Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. and Duda Products Inc. Robert P. (Bob) Gray, a 25-year veteran of Duda's fresh operations, has been named chief executive officer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. Edward D. (Dan) Duda Jr., who has served for 26 years in fresh sales and marketing for the family-owned company, has been promoted to chief operating officer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. At Duda Products Inc., the

Four Seasons Produce Inc. in Ephrata, PA, has changed the name of its importing operation from Four Seasons Trading to Fresh Pro Trading Inc. The new name is designed to provide a unique identity to Four Seasons' importing operations while maintaining a focus on its expertise as an experienced importer. Strategically located near key eastern ports, Fresh Pro Trading Inc. will market its services to the East Coast and Midwest. The newly named company will draw upon parent company Four Seasons' 30 years of experience in the produce industry, specifically in the areas of logistics, distribution

Any industry would like to have a promotion in New York's Grand Central Terminal. With prices consistently down despite declining supplies, the mushroom industry can really use such a promotion. With the Mushroom Council getting back in the marketing business this summer, a series of promotions are underway. On Sept. 15, the Mushroom Council will set up shop in Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Terminal. "The MushRoom," a 15-foot-tall white button mushroom caf?, will pop up and offer dishes featuring mushrooms in celebration of September as National Mushroom Month. New York's commuters will be

Riveridge Produce in Sparta, MI, announced the addition of 100 percent red tart cherry juice concentrate to its lineup of products. According to the Cherry Marketing Institute, the latest research shows that Montmorency cherries have antioxidant properties that may relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. Specifically, Montmorency cherries contain melatonin, an antioxidant that attacks free radicals and could help prevent or reduce brain deterioration. Other antioxidants present in red tart cherries also may help prevent cancer and heart disease, according to research. And anthocyanins in tart