NAPLES, FL -- Attendees of the 2006 Florida Tomato Institute, part of the 31st Joint Tomato Conference being held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, here, heard some bad news delivered by Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee. The news was that Florida tomato production was down 5 million packages and the value of the crop is almost $200 million less this season than it was the year before. "Last year was not what I would call a good year," Mr. Brown said. "With Hurricane Wilma and a near-freeze in February, it was almost a doubly whammy. Hurricane Wilma devastated this area of the

SUN VALLEY, ID -- The Idaho potato industry is operating under a new paradigm, and other potato-growing states around the country have followed suit, Jerry Wright, chief executive officer and president of United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho, said in his remarks at an industry luncheon during the 78th annual Idaho Grower-Shippers Association convention, here, Aug. 30. That new paradigm, he explained, is for growers to grow "only what is needed for the fresh market," rather than to grow as many potatoes as they can and then try to market them. The old paradigm resulted in market gluts that led

The Chilean Avocado Importers Association announced that Tom Tjerandsen of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association has been appointed marketing manager to lead the association's efforts to promote Chilean Hass avocados to U.S. consumers. Steve Lutz of the Chicago-based Perishables Group has completed his work with CAIA to oversee the development of the associations initial marketing and media plans, and Mr. Tjerandsen will begin work to implement the CAIAs $5 million marketing plan for the import season. "Tom is the ideal person to lead our efforts to increase awareness and consumption of

Johnson Associated Fruit Co. in Denville, NJ, has opened an office in Sebastian, FL, and named Thomas (Tommy) Martorana to oversee the satellite operation. "We are very pleased to make him an addition to our staff," said Robert Johnson, company president. Mr. Martorana's title is director of business development and shipper relations. "The opening of the Florida office and what I'll be doing here is multifaceted," he said Aug. 30. As well as being involved in sales for the produce broker, Mr. Martorana will provide quality assurance on the shipping end, especially for Florida citrus. "Citrus

Los Angeles-based Melissa's/World Variety Produce and the Hass Avocado Board are partnering in a co-marketing campaign to promote Latin produce during Hispanic Heritage month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The project is specifically targeted to approximately 2,500 retailers that cater to Hispanic customers. "Approximately 2,500 retailers across the country are participating in the program," said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's. "These were specifically targeted because they have at least 25 percent penetration of Latin consumers. Most retailers across the country today

With members in five time zones, "Next Big Thing," a growers' cooperative, was formed at the end of July. The apple cooperative headquarters is in Lake City, MN. The chairman of the new co-op, which operates with the abbreviation N.B.T., is Dennis Courtier, who is also the owner and chief executive officer of Pepin Heights Orchards Inc. in Lake City, MN. N.B.T. has 45 grower-members from Nova Scotia to Wenatchee, WA. The cooperative will focus on developing and marketing new managed apple varieties, starting with a new, unnamed variety from the University of Minnesota. The members will funnel