GUATEMALA CITY -- Those sleeping in Guatemala City on Thanksgiving night needed a couple of extra blankets. Even at a mile-plus above sea level, the need for heating homes is so rare that most homes do not have heating systems. Solutions for staying warm escaped most of Guatemala's vegetable-producing highlands during a cold front that ran on three record-breaking cold nights Nov. 22-24. The Guatemala City newspaper Prensa Libre reported Nov. 26 that the country experienced $6 million in vegetable crop losses on the night of Nov. 22 alone as a result of the freeze. Antonio Maldonado, owner of

Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets announced Monday, Nov. 27, that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Albertson's LLC Northern California division. The transaction includes 132 Albertson's stores spread over northern California and northern Nevada, the Roseville, CA, and Vacaville, CA, distribution centers, as well as the Albertson's division office in Dublin, CA. Of the 132 stores, two of the California stores are closed and 10 of the stores are in the Nevada cities of Reno, Sparks and Carson City. Alicia Rockwell, spokesperson for Save Mart, said that the deal between the

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in Maitland, FL, has named Lisa Lochridge its director of public affairs, effective Nov. 27. Ms. Lochridge brings a strong background in public relations and journalism to FFVA. "We're extremely pleased to have Lisa with us," FFVA President Mike Stuart said in a press release. "She brings a wealth of experience with her, and she is no stranger to the Florida agriculture industry." From 1978 to 1999, Ms. Lochridge worked in various editorial and management capacities with the Orlando Sentinel, including six years as Seminole County bureau chief. For the

NOGALES, AZ -- "We are continuing to try to change" the common perceptions in the United States regarding Mexican-grown produce "and highlight the fact that whether they know it or not, for a lot of the winter, they are eating Mexican produce," said Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce Sales Inc., who is a member of the public relations committee of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here. "A lot of [consumers] never in their dreams would think that 60 percent of the fruits and vegetables they are eating in the wintertime are from Mexico." The association is engaged in a variety of

Sam Lipot retired Oct. 21 after spending more than half a century in the produce industry. Mr. Lipot, 64, got his start 52 years ago in the industry working beside his grandfather Sam Pettello at the family's fruit markets in the Pennsylvania towns of Elysburg and Marion Heights. He worked for Laneco/Food Lane in Allentown, PA, for 35 years, during which time he saw that chain grow to 30 stores from four stores. About five years ago he joined Ahart's Markets in Allentown, a five-store chain, which celebrated his retirement with a special luncheon featuring Mr. Lipot's friends and co-workers

PHILADELPHIA -- Produce industry women in the Philadelphia area are being encouraged to join a "NEW" organization, that is, the Network of Executive Women, which involves women from the food and retail business sectors. The Greater Philadelphia Area Network of Executive Women held its first meeting Nov. 15 in Philadelphia. Total participation was about 250, including a dozen or so men. A handful of women with ties to the produce industry was present, with one being a key figure in the meeting. The concept for the group was formed in 2003, but Bobbie O'Hare formed the first NEW chapter in New