Imagination Farms, based in Indianapolis, has expanded its distribution network of "Disney Garden" suppliers with the addition of Berry Fresh in Dominguez Hills, CA. Mark Haun, Western region sales manager for Imagination Farms, said in a Feb. 18 press release, "With our singular focus on increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables among children, a berry program was a priority for us. Berry Fresh is enthusiastic about the opportunity and will help us bring quality berries to the marketplace." Jose Paredes, president of Berry Fresh, added in the press release, "As marketers, we are

MONTE VISTA, CO -- Held once again in conjunction with the area's agriculture fair at the Ski-Hi Park, the election of new members to the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee took place Feb. 12. The event included a keynote address by Lowell Catlett, renowned futurist and professor at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Representing the committee's independent handlers for 2009 are Virginia and Ernie Myers of Mountain Valley Produce (with Mike Bonemeyer of Aspen Produce as alternate), David and Hope Tonso of Ca?on Potato Co. (with Trampas and Debra McCormick of McCormick & Milne as

Southern Specialties Inc., headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, announced Feb. 16 that Tim Meissner has been hired as chief operating officer. Mr. Meissner has a broad range of experience in the produce industry. His career has included positions in retail, foodservice, produce distribution and grower applications management. He most recently held the position of vice president of sales at River Ranch Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA. "The board of directors and management of Southern Specialties join me in welcoming Tim aboard," said Robert Colescott, president and chief executive officer of

The U.S. Commerce Department has released data showing that consumer spending on food dropped almost 3.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008 as the effects of the sagging economy made their presence known. The Wall Street Journal reported the news Friday, Feb. 13, revealing that spending was down pretty much across the board as consumers spent 10.9 percent less on alcohol, registered a 3.4 percent drop in beef purchases and even spent 5.1 percent less on pet food. But there were several bright spots. Consumer spending on fresh vegetables rose 2.3 percent. Milk and egg sales were also

KINGSVILLE, ON -- Mastronardi Produce has announced that former Tanimura & Antle President Ken Silveira has joined the company as president of Mastronardi Produce -- West LLC. With Mr. Silveira joining the company, Mastronardi also announces the opening of a 20,000-square-foot warehouse in Salinas, CA, to begin servicing the West Coast in March. "This is a great opportunity for our company with Ken partnering with us on our newest division, Mastronardi Produce -- West LLC," Paul Mastronardi, executive vice president, said in a Feb. 19 press release. With facilities already located in Romulus

It came as no surprise, but it is now official. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday, Feb. 20, a zero allocation of water from the Central Valley Project for agriculture use for 2009. As reported previously in The Produce News, the Westlands Water district, which has historically provided CVP water to some 660,000 acres of farmland on the west side of the Central San Joaquin Valley, will be the most seriously affected by the zero allocation. With few wells to fall back on and few if any other options, west side farmers will have no choice but to let at