Montreal-based wholesaler Jolifruit Import Export Inc.'s membership with the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corp. was automatically terminated Feb. 2 as a result of the firm's failure to pay an arbitration award. A press release issued by the DRC said the action was taken for "failing to comply with an arbitration award in the amount of U.S. $98,255.80, which is a violation of the DRC by-laws and the mediation and arbitration rules." Fred Webber, vice president of trading assistance for the DRC, told The Produce News that Jolifruit Import Export had been a DRC member since June 2008

Florida growers are preparing for what Ted Campbell, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Association in Dover, FL, referred to as "a little burst of Yankee air" for Wednesday and Thursday nights, Feb. 4 and 5. On Wednesday, the weather forecast called for a low of 21 degrees on both nights. Thermostats are expected to reach the lowest readings between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on both mornings, meaning it's the most critical time for producers. "Strawberry growers here will do the same thing they did when the last front came through two weeks ago [mid-January]: stay up all night, watch

MAITLAND, FL -- Two veteran staff members of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association have been named vice presidents of the organization as part of a staff realignment, FFVA President Mike Stuart announced. Dan Botts, currently director of the Environmental & Pest Management Division, has been named vice president of industry resources. He will oversee FFVA's pest management, water and natural resources, and food safety and sustainability activities. He will be actively recruiting individuals to manage those functions. Walter Kates, director of labor relations, has been named vice president

Charles Walker, managing director of the National Peach Council since the early 1990s, stepped down in September after serving the industry for more than 17 years, and Kay Rentzel, a veteran of the apple industry, was hired in December as the new managing director of the council, it was announced Jan. 26. Mr. Walker started working with the U.S. peach industry approximately 24 years ago when he was hired as the manager of the South Carolina Peach Board, which was a newly formed state marketing order for peaches. In 1992, he became involved with the National Peach Council when he approached the

Greg Heinz competes in mountain bike races on a white and pink mountain bike. The bike has pink cables, and Mr. Heinz accessorizes with pink gloves and pink glasses. Pink is the color used by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, most often seen with its pink ribbon logo. Breast cancer awareness is a cause that Mr. Heinz's employer -- Salinas, CA-based D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California -- has actively supported for years. In fact, D'Arrigo has a popular, decades-old "Andy Boy" label that is pink. In addition to supporting the cause of breast cancer, Mr. Heinz's pink bike is a nod to his

As it marks its 75th year in 2009 as a domestic and international produce distributor, the Grant J. Hunt Co. continues its attention to quality and hands- on service as it moves ahead in technology and efficiency. "We are celebrating 75 years from the official launch of the Grant J. Hunt Co. near the San Francisco Terminal Market. My family has actually been in the industry since my great-great grandfather first started delivering our fruits and vegetables to San Francisco via ferry boats in the early 1900s," company President Grant M. Hunt said in a press release. While delivery methods and