PHILADELPHIA -- The Network of Executive Women, a national organization whose mission is to attract, retain and advance women through education, leadership and business development for the consumer products and retail industry, is expanding into the Philadelphia area. The Greater Philadelphia Area Regional Committee will be the ninth regional group in the country, joining groups in New England, New York metro, northwest Arkansas, western Michigan, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, Dallas and Florida. NEW currently has 152 regional committee members and 2,300 national members. The Greater

SALINAS, CA -- Following Rep. Sam Farr's (D-CA) lead on the federal level, area industry officials are seeking more localized money to compensate area growers and shippers who suffered losses from the recent E. coli 0157:H7 episode regarding spinach. The Monterey County Farm Bureau, here, was the site of an informal meeting Oct. 3 among Mr. Farr, Sen. Jeff Denham (R-CA) and various agricultural officials representing the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible avenues for compensation for an industry rocked by the recent E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak

NewStar Fresh Foods, a Salinas, CA-based grower, shipper and processor of fresh produce, announced the launch of a fresh spinach packaged in new eco-friendly, socially responsible EarthFirst PLA packaging film. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, began selling 10-ounce bags of NewStar's spinach packaged in PLA film in September. EarthFirst PLA film is manufactured by Plastic Suppliers in Columbus, OH, utilizing NatureWorks PLA resin from NatureWorks LLC. Made from midwestern corn, EarthFirst polylactic acid packaging film is a bio-based plastic alternative to many petrochemical-based films

Heeren Bros. and J.A. Besteman Co. announced Oct. 9 that they plan to merge, creating one of the larger family-owned produce wholesalers in Michigan. The asset purchase will create a company with approximately 175 employees, three warehouses, a fleet of 40 trucks and the ability to serve customers throughout Michigan and into northern Ohio and Indiana. The new company will continue to do business under both family names, which enjoy strong brand recognition among their customers. Heeren Bros. Chief Executive Officer Hal Roy will continue as chief executive of the combined company. Dave and

In Salinas native John Steinbeck's famous novel "The Grapes of Wrath," there's a scene where a turtle encounters great obstacles trying to cross a highway. After much hardship for the turtle, a trucker swerves to hit the turtle, clipping its shell and sending it flying off the road. The turtle lands on its back but manages to right itself and move on. The scene encapsulated the theme of perseverance that wove through the entire novel. Today, the Salinas Valley is that turtle. It is still lying on its shell, struggling to get back to its belly. But it will ultimately right itself and move

With celebrated author Steven Pratt on hand to tout the "superfood" qualities of green and gold kiwifruit, the Zespri booth became an energy-boosting destination at the recent American Dietetics Association Food & Nutrition conference and exposition in Honolulu. Known as Oprah's "Food Dude," the author of SuperFoods Healthstyle signed copies of his book and shared tips on the benefits of eating kiwifruit with over 5,000 members of the association during its annual food and nutrition conference in mid-September. ADA is America's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Members