NEWARK, DE -- Members of the Mexican produce industry conversed first- hand on important issues and Produce Marketing Association's increasing activities in Mexico during a September visit to that country by Nancy Tucker, PMA's vice president of global business development, and PMA Mexico representative Alejandro Larreategui. The pair discussed food safety, traceability, technology, the Foundation for Industry Talent, research and other PMA activities with members and prospects during PMA Fresh Connections member meetings held in the wholesale markets (centro de abastos) of Monterrey, Mexico

SALINAS, CA -- Mann Packing Co. Inc., here, is rolling out three new vegetable product lines. Mann's newly named "Steam & Serve" line replaces its previously named "Ready, Set, Steam" line of vegetables, which had won a Packaging Impact Award for Technology from the Produce Marketing Association. The new line -- which starting hitting store shelves Sept. 29 -- features several changes. Instead of a four-serving container, "Steam & Serve" comes in a three-serving container. The sauce packet is now on the outside of the package and the package includes an illustration on how to microwave the

LOS ANGELES -- Giumarra Nogales announced Oct. 13 that the division will be offering its full line of fruits and vegetables from Mexico this fall and will be shipping from two locations. Division Sales Manager Nick Rendon said in a press release that Giumarra Nogales can distribute anywhere in the United States using its two shipping facilities. The division will continue to ship out of Nogales, AZ, and will also ship out of the Border Cold Storage facility in McAllen, TX. Both locations will handle the full line of fruits and vegetables. All product price look-up stickers include RSS coding

This year, exhibitors at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit will vie for the title of "Best of Show," and the winner will be formally announced at the general session on Monday, Oct. 27. Judging will be conducted by a mystery team of industry professionals, who will award first and second- place prizes in two categories: in-line booth (10 feet deep and any length); and island booth (20 x 20 feet or larger). Booths will be judged on the following criteria: Booth presentation: Integration of company identity in booth design, design and graphic elements, clearly communicates company

After serving for 15 years as president of HydroSerre Mirabel, Martin Desrochers has left the firm he founded with his brother, Luc, and his father, Gervais, and also has resigned his position on the board of directors of the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corp. The Mirabel, QC-based firm, one of the larger suppliers of hydroponically grown Boston lettuce in North America, has over 21 acres of greenhouses in Quebec and is known for its floating raft technology, which Luc Desrochers adapted for commercial use in the early 1980s. A press release issued by the company said that "recent

A random inquiry to dozens of fresh produce industry members indicates that both presidential candidates enjoy significant support from the produce industry's rank-and-file. An unscientific e-mail blast sent to different produce business classifications across the nation resulted in many different responses, with adamant supporters of both Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama and Republican candidate Sen. John McCain. There are also some undecideds as well as a significant number of respondents who did not want to be publicly identified with their choice for president. While most who did not