Maxco Supply Inc. in Parlier, CA, and Proactive Packaging & Display Inc., with locations in Stockton, CA, and Ontario, CA, have signed a multi-year, strategic alliance agreement to better serve the agricultural industry's packaging needs with the ultimate goal of producing premium packaging with as little impact on the environment as possible. The alliance provides for superior package construction and graphics for consumers, while at the same time helping to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using less paper and less power in production. For its part, Maxco is

MONTE VISTA, CO -- With an updated marketing strategy that dovetails with the U.S. Potato Board's "Goodness Unearthed" campaign, the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee is sponsoring a 2009 consumer recipe contest that encourages creativity with spuds. The recipes, which will ultimately be compiled in a new cookbook from the committee, take in all menu categories, from breakfast-brunch to soups to main dishes. A category designated "other" can include desserts and snacks, according to CPAC Administrator Linda Weyers. Running now through April 15, the contest is open to all consumers and

Easter falls on April 12 this year, and there should be plenty of berries available from Southern California growing districts for the holiday. Last year's early Easter -- March 23 -- made meeting demand for strawberries more challenging. Several companies warned of a possible gap in supplies of a week or more leading into Valentine's Day promotions. An about 10-day stretch of temperatures of over 80 degrees in Southern California led to an early start to the harvest, which could lead to the dry period. David Cook, a salesperson for Oxnard, CA-based Deardorff Family Farms, told The Produce

The Amazing Party Kickoff program, which seeks to provide vigorous support of January retail promotions, marked the beginning of one of the more far- reaching marketing campaign since avocados from Mexico were first shipped to the United States. Under the leadership of newly appointed Marketing Director Jacqueline Bohmer, the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association is helping produce managers educate their customers about the versatility and nutritional benefits of avocados. The kickoff includes attractive display towers that give flexibility to retailers in positioning avocado displays for

LAKELAND, FL -- Cold weather swept across Florida's citrus belt the night of Feb. 4, but temperatures didn't get low enough for long enough to cause significant damage to the crop, according to Florida Citrus Mutual. "We feel like we dodged the proverbial bullet," Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in a Feb. 5 press release. "There will probably be spot damage here and there, but in terms of large scale problems, we came through OK." Temperatures must reach 28 degrees for a four-hour period to cause damage to the oranges

Phillips Mushroom Farms L.P., based in Kennett Square, PA, announced the recall of its Enoki mushrooms. While no illnesses had been reported as of Feb. 3, the recall was based on the mushrooms potentially being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Kevin Donovan, sales manager at Phillips, told The Produce News Feb. 3 that the problem was discovered as a result of a Jan. 13 food-safety audit, but the potential problem wasn't brought to