The joining of two produce firms in the Twin Cities area is "coming along well," according to Phillip Brooks, chief executive officer of H. Brooks & Co., the New Brighton, MN-based company that joined forces with Brings Co., a fresh produce distributor that specializes in onions and is based in St. Paul, MN. Mr. Brooks spoke with The Produce News May 18 on the heels of the deal that was announced March 30. Brings Co. and its employees moved into the Brooks warehouse on April 24. Pat Coan, president of Brings Co., was traveling in mid-May and could not be reached for comment. Mr. Brooks, who is

WASHINGTON -- In a move that will provide a new asset for its members involved in the global fresh convenience industry that encompasses fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as well as innovative commodity packaging, the United Fresh Produce Association has announced a partnership with Market Intelligence's Fresh Convenience magazine to present the Fresh Convenience Congress, a new educational program for the fresh-cut and value-added commodity sector June 22-24 at London's Hilton Tower Bridge hotel. The Fresh Convenience Congress will explore opportunities to capitalize on the growing fresh-cut

VANCOUVER -- Canadians are feeling fairly bullish right now. They are happy with themselves, and they believe the economy is improving. Two different speakers armed with entirely different research gave their views on this subject at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention, held here May 12-14. Brian Williams, a well-known Canadian sportscaster, gave the keynote address during the general luncheon session Thursday, May 13, to put forth his theories based clearly on anecdotal evidence. The next morning, Carman Allison, director of marketing communications for The Nielsen Co., used

ATLANTA -- In 1969, Apollo 11 carried the first men to land on the moon, the Beatles released Abbey Road, The Brady Bunch premiered on television, and a man named Tommy Irvin became commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Mr. Irvin was appointed by the governor to finish the term of the departing agriculture commissioner. The Atlanta Journal & Constitution ran an editorial suggesting that he was merely keeping the chair warm until the next election. A reappraisal might be in order. After Mr. Irvin completed that first term, Georgia voters elected him to 10 more, spanning 41

WASHINGTON -- Top leaders of the Produce Marketing Association met with members of Congress and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials the week of May 10 to voice support for immigration reform, food safety and boosting consumption of fruits and vegetables. PMA has ramped up its presence in Washington in recent years and is now viewed on Capitol Hill as an authority for "real world information that's credible," PMA President Bryan Silbermann told The Produce News May 15. Mr. Silbermann joined PMA Chairman Bill Schuler, president and chief executive officer of the Castellini Group of

If there is one key to winning over another bell pepper customer according to Mike Aiton, it is a good recipe, an explanation about chili rellenos, a chart showing nutritional content or anything written that educates. Mr. Aiton, who heads Coachella, CA-based Prime Time International's marketing, new business development and new product development, said that bell peppers -- more than other products -- convince customers once they grasp their nutritional content and status as a staple in diets worldwide. These days, Mr. Aiton is an optimistic "pepper person," and his upbeat nature gets a boost