Litehouse Inc., headquartered in Sandpoint, ID, continues to innovate with a variety of value-added products. Paul Kusche, director of marketing and innovations, said that the firm's new cider showcases several of the premier apple varietals for which Washington is known. "These are variety-specific blends," he said of the cider line. The program was initially launched as Washington Galas were coming into production during September. "Now we have a Honeycrisp blend, and then we will be going to a Fuji blend [in January]." Mr. Kusche said that Litehouse looked around produce departments and saw

APTOS, CA -- The Chilean Avocado Importers Association celebrated the world of soccer Oct. 10 during its American Youth Soccer Association Night with Club Deportivo Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. During the festivities, the association entertained importers of Chilean avocados and Southern California-based supermarket retail executives representing Bristol Farms, Cardenas, El Tapatillo Markets, El Super, Fiesta Market, Food 4 Less, Gelson's, K.V. Mart Co., Northgate Gonz?lez Markets, Ralphs, Stater Bros. and Superior Grocers in a hospitality suite during the game. Prior to

PHILADELPHIA -- A longtime house on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, M&C Produce Co. Inc., closed its doors Nov. 6. William Morgen, secretary-treasurer of the Philadelphia Produce Credit Bureau on the market, said that John Lerro, owner of M&C, "never mentioned to any of us on the market that he would be closing his doors. And he never mentioned it to the credit bureau." Mr. Morgen has learned that Mr. Lerro "has employed an attorney to work out a payout arrangement with all of his creditors," though he did not know the name of the attorney. "This thing happened so suddenly," he added

In Chile it is springtime moving toward summer. Chile's spring has been less than ideal for fruit growers. Peter Kopke, president of Wm. H. Kopke Jr. Inc. in Lake Success, NY, said that the grape crop "has so far been affected in the Aconcagua Valley, which was especially heavily affected by frost. Also, in Copiapo, there is frost. So, there is a significant effect in Copiapo, but the damage is much greater in the Aconcagua Valley, where you're getting into millions of boxes lost. This is fruit that normally arrives in January and into February. It will be very significant." "I think Chile's

BRASELTON, GA -- The Southeast Produce Council celebrated its 10th anniversary the first weekend in November in part by recognizing many of the individuals who have helped make the council a success since it was founded in 1999. Attendees also heard a presentation by consultant Ronnie De La Cruz, whose keynote address looked at how major events over the past 10 years have affected the council and the produce industry in general as well as some issues that may have an important impact over the next 10 years. Board meetings, an opening gala party with entertainment by country music star Sammy

Family, friends and co-workers are mourning the death of Steven Craig Hood, who worked in sales and shipping for Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. in Walla Walla, WA. Mr. Hood, a resident of College Place, WA, died Oct. 29 at the Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, WA. He was 54 years old. The cause of death was not disclosed. "He was really a genuinely good guy," colleague Dan Borer told The Produce News Nov. 9. "He was very well respected and honest. He was a good man to work with." Mr. Hood was born Aug. 1, 1955, to Kenneth and Delores Seip Hood in Caldwell, ID, and he was raised on the family's