Two of the bigger names in fresh produce are teaming up to expand their presence in the fast-growing fresh-cut fruit category. Sunkist Growers, a leading marketer of fresh citrus based in Sherman Oaks, CA, and Taylor Farms, a leading supplier of value-added fresh produce to the North American foodservice industry, based in Salinas, CA, announced a new joint venture, Sunkist Taylor LLC. The announcement was made Feb. 22 at Sunkist's 112th annual meeting in Ventura, CA. "This is an ideal partnership, combining the resources and expertise of two great companies, both with wide brand recognition

The fields and hallways of Salinas, CA-based Tanimura & Antle are minus the smile of Robert (Bobby) Tanimura, who died in his Salinas home on Saturday, Feb. 18, after a long battle with cancer. He was 76. Though battling prostate cancer since the 1990s, Mr. Tanimura kept an active schedule as a director with the company. Farming was his lifelong passion, and right up until his final days, he could be seen patrolling the fields, dispensing advice about pest management and attending T&A board meetings. While Mr. Tanimura's illness had slowed him down in his later years, he "maybe cut his hours

When 25-year-old Leamington, ON, native Kyle Moynahan graduated from the University of Windsor with a bachelor of commerce degree, he wasn't sure of his future in terms of a career. He spent the next two years working as a student recruiter for the school. "I had majored in marketing but minored in philosophy," said Mr. Moynahan. "The recruiting job was a good opportunity for me to get some work experience and think about my future direction. In December 2004, I accompanied my girlfriend, Abby Marcovecchio, to a Christmas party that was hosted by her father, Nick, a contractor in the area

I remember when the idea of forming the Southeast Produce Council was just that -- an idea. I felt that there was a real need to bring together the different factions that make up the produce industry in the Southeast. Our region has long been a leader in agriculture, and we are also home to some of the more innovative and leading supermarket chains in the country. It was a natural progression to form an association that would link us in a way that had never been realized on a regional basis in the South. In September 1999, a group of industry colleagues met in Atlanta. The "Atlanta Six" laid

For the second straight year, Goodness Greeness, a leading Midwest distributor of organic produce based in Chicago, will sponsor Family Farmed Expo, an event that brings together regional growers, chefs and consumers with an interest in organic and artesian food, local economies, fair trade, nature, and environmental and health issues. Family Farmed Expo will be held Friday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Chicago at the historic Chicago Cultural Center on East Washington Street. "The expo provides the public a unique setting to meet the farmers

Houston-based Sysco Corp. announced that its FreshPoint produce subsidiary bought City Produce Inc., a leading independent produce distributor in Texas' Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Harlingen, foodservice markets, and Thomas Bros. Produce Inc., an independent produce distributor in Oklahoma. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. "The addition of City Produce and Thomas Brothers is a significant milestone for FreshPoint," Sysco Vice President and FreshPoint President and Chief Executive Officer Brian M. Sturgeon said in a statement. "Both of these companies are market leaders