Held June 10-12 at McCall, ID's historic Shore Lodge overlooking Payette Lake, the Idaho-Oregon Fruit & Vegetable Association convention brought several dozen association members and companions to this year’s 48th annual event. According to Candi Fitch, executive director of the association, "Attendance for the convention and annual meeting was the largest it has been for several years." Idaho-Eastern Oregon is one of the larger onion growing regions in the United States, shipping about 30 percent of the onions consumed domestically. The nonprofit association has a membership of about 40

New Leaf Food Safety Solutions LLC in Salinas, CA, has developed SmartWash, a food wash solution that optimizes the performance of standard wash systems to deliver complete protection against bacterial cross-contamination, a common precursor to outbreaks of foodborne illness. Using a scientifically devised formula that precisely controls and maintains the integrity of standard wash system components, SmartWash is a food- grade solution that ensures consistent and optimal levels of contamination- fighting agents. The result is a significant reduction in food contaminants and total prevention of

In May 2009, 22-year-old Jake Billmeyer stepped out of his graduation gown and cap and positioned himself behind a desk in the sales department at Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc. in Detroit. He is the son of Chris Billmeyer, the company president and chief executive officer, and also a fourth-generation family member working at the company. "I graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in business administration," said Mr. Billmeyer. “I’ve been around the business all of my life. During high school and college, I worked for the company during a couple of summers, and I

With the goal of providing "geek-level" knowledge of fresh pear usage and handling to foodservice operators and distributors, the Portland, OR-based Pear Bureau Northwest has developed a mini seminar, How to Become a Pear Nerd. The seven- to 10-minute educational presentation will be conducted by the Pear Bureau Northwest at booth No. 79 at the Produce Marketing Association's foodservice expo Aug. 1 in Monterey, CA. The entertaining presentation will help attendees learn about the many Northwest pear varieties, seasonality and their versatility on the menu, and it will also show the importance

Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms is expanding its production facility Baja Mist in Mexicali Valley, Mexico, in order to accommodate sales growth for its year-round program of product grown in Mexico with commodities such as green onions and brussels sprouts. Ocean Mist Farms has been growing product in Mexico since 2003. "We wanted to design, develop and construct a state-of-the-art green onion processing and cooling facility, which integrated all aspects of food safety in an environment that allows us to create superior iceless products with extended shelf life," Ocean Mist Vice

Verdant Partners LLC in Champaign, IL, announced that Paul G. Bennett has joined Verdant as a director. Mr. Bennett has spent most of his career in senior management positions in the global fresh produce industry. His primary focus at Verdant Partners will be the development of new business in the fresh produce industry. Mr. Bennett recently retired from Sakata Seed America in Morgan Hill, CA, where he served as chief executive officer from 1997 through 2009. Mr. Bennett also served on the Global Management Committee of the parent company in Japan. Prior to joining Sakata Seed America, Mr