CHICAGO -- National apple production looks to be 6 percent lower than last year and 1 percent lower than the five-year average, according to figures released by the U.S. Apple Association at its annual Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, held here Aug. 17-18. The detailed crop overview was one of the highlights of the conference, which also featured the announcements of the 2006 Apple Grower of the Year and National Apple Month's Merchandiser of the Year. There were also sessions giving an outlook on European apples, Chinese apples, Canadian apples and Mexican apples, as well as

GATINEAU, QC -- Over 400 members, partners and guests of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association descended on the Hilton Lac Leamy, here, for the association's 59th annual convention Aug. 17-19. Before handing over the gavel to the association's new president, Michel Levac, president and chief executive officer of Bellemont Powell, outgoing President Daniel Decelle, manager of C.H. Robinson Co. (Canada) Ltd.'s Montreal offices, told 434 people assembled at the association's closing banquet "that as the QPMA approaches its 60th anniversary, I am proud of the significant place it has earned in

Doug Nelson recently joined Carol Stream, IL-based Blue Book Services as manager of special services. He will lead a team of industry-experienced trading and collection assistance professionals for the firm. Mr. Nelson most recently worked as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation in Chicago. In addition to his legal experience, he worked as a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act marketing specialist for over two years. Mr. Nelson earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Chicago's Loyola University School of Law. "I look forward to leading

Dole Fresh Vegetables in Westlake Village, CA, a division of Dole Food Co. Inc., has announced that there is absolutely no truth to recent stories on the Internet of a current recall of "Dole" branded packaged salads. Dole said that its salads are safe to eat and are produced in state-of-the-art facilities with a priority on product safety. In the United States, consumers purchase over 2 million bags of "Dole salad every day. Dole is committed to bringing consumers the safest, cleanest and freshest produce available. Its salad plants operate under a strict food safety program, and the same

Frontera Produce Ltd. in Edinburgh, TX, has announced the addition of Javier Gonzalez to its Florida division. He is responsible for leading the company's melon sales. Mr. Gonzalez comes to Frontera with over 10 years of experience in the import produce industry, having held key sales and operation positions with Fresh Del Monte, Central American Produce, Chestnut Hill Farms and Maersk Sealand. In this role, Mr. Gonzalez will be instrumental in helping to manage and grow year-round melon sales through existing customers as well as helping establish national sales for the entire company product

You're in a supermarket doing some shopping. As you're picking out a nice ripe cantaloupe, you spot a sign on an empty display case that states, "Wet paint. Do not touch!" What's the next thing you do? Like me, you're going to touch it. Right? So, you touch it. After getting paint on your fingers, the painter approaches and angrily says, "You just had to touch it, didn't you? Why did you have to tamper with my nice work? I'm a professional at what I do, and now you messed it up. Please mind your own business! I'm not trying to pick out your cantaloupe, am I?" Yikes! He sure told you off, didn