WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama has named former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his choice to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mr. Vilsack, who served two terms as Iowa's Democratic governor and who represented a state known for growing corn and soybeans, has been tabbed to run a department facing critical energy, agriculture and nutrition issues. At a Dec. 17 press conference in Chicago, President-elect Obama said that his nominee for secretary of agriculture was a leader in clean energy and an advocate for policies that protect family farms. USDA must place nutrition in the

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- The citrus industry of Valencia, Spain, descended Dec. 17 on the Gloucester Marine Terminal with considerable force. The Holt family, owners of Holt Logistics Corp in Gloucester City, NJ, including the terminal on the Delaware River, hosted a delegation of about 25 visitors from Valencia. Many representatives of the Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York produce import trade were present to meet them. A strong media representation was also present. As the guests toured the Gloucester Marine Terminal, a shipload of Valencia clementines was being unloaded onto the pier. The

The competition is underway to honor companies and chefs among the foodservice industry's top produce performers in the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation's Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards. Five winning chefs and their corporate executives will receive complimentary airfare, two nights' hotel accommodation and an all access convention pass to United Fresh 2009, slated for April 21-24 in Las Vegas, NV, where the winners will receive their awards at the chairman's reception and awards banquet Thursday evening, April 23. Either individual chefs or companies can be nominated

An ice storm that struck New England Dec. 11-12 hit the distant suburbs of the city. Camilo Pe?alosa, vice president of Infinite Herbs in Everett, MA, said Dec. 15 that the iciest and most treacherous part of the storm was generally limited to the Interstate 495 ring around the northern and western suburbs of Boston. Steve Piazza, president of Community-Suffolk Inc. on the Boston Market Terminal in Everett, said Dec. 16 that the markets in Everett and Chelsea functioned without much disruption. But he said that the markets were "distinctly hurt" because many customers were closed. "I would say

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Sun World International LLC has named Gordon L. Robertson its vice president of sales and marketing, Chief Marketing Officer David Marguleas announced in mid-December. Mr. Robertson assumes responsibility for all U.S. and international sales and marketing activities and staff. He joins Sun World from Campbell Soup Co., where he spent 20 years in various sales and trade marketing management roles and where he most recently served as vice president of joint business planning. "Gordon brings strong food industry knowledge, a passion for managing sales professionals and a desire

The Georgia Watermelon Association is making plans for its annual meeting and Watermelon Queen Contest, which will be held Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at the Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club in Cordele, GA. The event offers exhibits, networking, recreational opportunities and educational sessions designed to bring the most up-to-date and relevant information to the watermelon industry. The meeting offers several informative educational sessions for watermelon production. Topics covered at this year's meeting will include Watermelon Fertilizer Study Results, Disease & Fumigation Update, and Handling