ORLANDO, FL -- Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition drew an East Coast record number of produce sellers and buyers -- and every link in the produce supply chain in between -- when it convened here Oct. 24-27. The event drew 17,502 attendees from 61 countries to the Orange County Convention Center. This year's Fresh Summit broke the previous East Coast attendance record of 16,300, set the last time it was convened here, in 2003. Last year's Fresh Summit -- in the first-time location of Houston -- drew 15,849. This year's buyer attendance exceeded

Growers Express LLC has promoted Gary Andreasian to vice president and general manager. Previously, he served as vice president of sales. In this newly created position, Mr. Andreasian will oversee all sales and production operations for the company and will report to Jamie Strachan, chief executive officer of Growers Express. Mr. Andreasian began his produce career in Oxnard, CA, selling mixed vegetables for San Miguel Produce. He was hired by Growers Express (formerly Growers Vegetable Express) in its first year of operation in 1988 to build a mixed-vegetable program; prior to that, it

As part of its plan for future growth, Dulcinea Farms, based in Ladera Ranch, CA, has reinforced its sales and operations departments with the hiring of two industry veterans. John McGuigan, who held senior management positions at Sunkist Growers Inc., is now vice president of sales and marketing, and Frank Mejia, formerly general manager of the Southwest production unit at Del Monte Fresh Produce, is now senior manager of Dulcinea's Mexican operations. "We are delighted to welcome John and Frank to our dynamic team," Luzius Caviezel, general manager of Dulcinea Farms, said in a press release

The Oppenheimer Group is celebrating its past by making a commitment to its future. The Vancouver, BC-based company, which commemorates its 150th anniversary this year, announced a $150,000 pledge to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. This funding supports programs designed to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce industry. "During this milestone year, we at Oppenheimer have reflected on the path that has brought us here, while also dedicating a great deal of thought to what lies ahead - not only for our company, but for the international produce community itself," John

As the prices of food and fuel continue to rise -- and salaries lag -- Americans are feeling the pinch. They're tightening their belts, looking for bargains and spending less, even on the essentials. According to a recent "IRI Times & Trends Special Report," about half of American consumers with annual incomes under $55,000 are now having difficulty buying the groceries they need. So what incentives can you offer to attract penny-pinching customers and get them to open their wallets? The most obvious strategy is to lower costs. In Southern California this summer, Ralphs, Fresh & Easy and Wal

ORLANDO, FL -- The Retail Division board of directors took office at the Produce Marketing Association's 2008 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, here. Led by Chairman Anthony Barbieri, director of produce and floral at Acme Markets Inc. in Malvern, PA, the retail directors are: * Michael Batycki, general manager of fresh foods at Woolworths Ltd. (Australia) in Bella Vista, NSW, Australia. * Shelly Carlson, new business retail development manager at C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. in Phoenix. * Greg Corrigan, vice president of produce and floral at Raley's Supermarkets in West