GREENWICH, NJ -- New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher sampled New Jersey asparagus from Sheppard Farms in Cedarville, eggs from Fralinger's Egg Farm in Hopewell and baked goods from the residents of Greenwich Township during the 19th annual Greenwich Fire Department Egg & Asparagus Breakfast, held May 17. "Jersey Fresh asparagus is at the height of its season, packed with flavor and full of nutritional value," Secretary Fisher said in a May 17 press release. "Asparagus can be eaten in quiches, salads and omelets or steamed, roasted or saut?ed. The annual tradition in Greenwich

Rose Prost-Hiebert was declared National Prize Winner of the Pear Bureau Northwest's second annual "Pear Excellence" Canadian Culinary Student Recipe Competition. Ms. Prost-Hiebert, associated with the Elliott House Restaurant & Chef School, was recognized for her achievement during festivities at The Chefs House restaurant at George Brown College in Toronto. Her winning recipe, pear ginger cheesecake, garnered a $2,500 cash prize. The pear bureau is dedicated to educating the culinary community on the versatility and value of fresh pears in meals throughout every season of the year, said

NationFresh LLC, based in Littleton, CO, has announced the hiring of two longtime industry veterans, Wesley Rust and Larry Narwold, to the sales and marketing staff of the company. Mr. Rust, who spent the last five years as national marketing manager for Produce Alliance, headquartered in Nashville, TN, joined the company May 4 and will work from his home in Fort Worth, TX. Prior to working for Produce Alliance, Mr. Rust was director of national accounts for Fresh Network in Salinas, CA, and also was vice president of national account sales for National Produce Consultants Inc. in Plano, TX

This year, the All Things Organic conference and trade show will join forces with three new show partners to create a powerhouse event focusing on evolving markets in organics, multi-culturalism, health and wellness, and specialty food. The event will be held June 16-18 at the Lakeside Center of Chicago's McCormick Place. "This is going to be an exciting show," said Barbara Haumann, senior writer and editor for the Organic Trade Association. This show will help retailers understand what the organic standards mean and what consumers want. These are hot topics. In addition to All Things

While Walmart Stores Inc., the nation's largest retailer, would neither confirm nor deny that it has shifted some of its key produce personnel to other departments, produce industry sources have said that the chain has reassigned produce executives and replaced them with employees from other departments. Ron McCormick, who was the chains top produce department executive as vice president of produce, has apparently moved to a non-produce position in Walmarts Local Purchases/Sustainability department. In addition, Pam Kohn, who was Mr. McCormicks boss as general merchandising manager of

Stanley Scarborough, 57, a berry industry veteran, died April 29 after a battle with cancer at Appling HealthCare System in Baxley, GA. Mr. Scarborough was a dedicated leader in the fruit and vegetable industry. He began in the berry industry in 1988, working with Donnie Morris at Baxley Sunbelt. Prior to joining SunnyRidge, he was partner and manager of Appling Farms in Baxley, GA, his hometown. In 2001, he joined SunnyRidge Farm and continued to run the Baxley farm, which was renamed Blueberry Farms of Georgia. In 2004, Mr. Scarborough was appointed operations manager at SunnyRidge Farm