The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will spotlight the various links involved in the produce distribution chain Aug. 19-21 at its 63rd annual convention at the Fairmount Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Sophie Perreault, executive director of the association, told The Produce News that the convention's theme, "From the Earth to the Table," came about in part because its outgoing president, Stephan Dolbec, is a grower, and its convention chairman, Pascal Primiano, works for Quebec retailer Metro Inc. However, Ms. Perreault said that the convention’s theme is not just about growers and

MONTEREY, CA — At the Produce Marketing Association's 2009 Foodservice Conference & Exposition, PMA President Bryan Silbermann announced a new collaborative initiative among three industry associations with the objective of doubling produce consumption in foodservice over the next decade. That effort is well underway and continues to be a major focus for the association. At the opening general session of the 2010 PMA Foodservice conference, Mr. Silbermann and a panel of six top foodservice and supply chain executives talked about the progress that is being made and what more is needed to make

The Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota is famous for its red potatoes, but this past year, the area was seeing pink. Red River Valley fresh potato growers and shippers raised over $80,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation this past season. Every bag of potatoes that was sold with a special pink ribbon Kwik Lok tag raised money for the organization. Ted Kreis of the East Grand Forks, MN-based Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and Randy Boushey, who operates A&L Potato, also in East Grand Forks, recently made a trip to the National Breast Cancer Foundation's

Embattled Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., based in Jacksonville, FL, showed that its woes continue, announcing July 27 that it will close another 30 stores and lay off 120 additional corporate and support personnel. Meanwhile, rival Publix Super Markets Inc., based in Lakeland, FL, announced Aug. 1 a 3.4 percent jump in sales for the second quarter of the year and plans to open 34 new stores in 2010. The tale of the two chains presents a stark contrast in the world of retail haves and have-nots. Winn-Dixie's problems began years ago as Publix’s ascendancy began. In the Southeast — particularly in

HARTFORD, CT — What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, the eastern United States was experiencing a cool and rainy spring that had most crops running a bit later than usual. By contrast, the region this year has been dealing with a dry and warmer-than-usual spring and early summer which has brought crops on a good week or two later than usual. As Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture F. Philip Prelli put it simply, "Every year's a little different." Looking at this year’s local deal, Mr. Prelli told The Produce News July 15, “Strawberries ended two weeks earlier than normal, and

MONTEREY, CA -- The Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference & Exposition, held here July 30-Aug. 1, set a record for attendance with registrations "approaching 1,700," according to PMA President Bryan Silbermann. One hundred and fifty-three exhibitors participated in the expo, which is also a record. The three-day event kicked off Friday, July 30, with a PMA Foundation for Industry Talent golf tournament benefiting the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation. An opening reception that evening and a women's networking event Saturday evening were among the social highlights of