BAKERSFIELD, CA -- More than 100 grape growers and marketers from 14 countries around the world converged here July 29-31 for Sun World International's second Table Grape Producer Expo. The first such event was held five years ago. Sun World, headquartered here, is a grower, shipper, imported and marketer of table grapes, tree fruit, citrus and other produce items, with table grapes accounting for nearly 60 percent of the company's own California production. Several of the grape varieties grown by Sun World were developed in the company's breeding program, including Sugraone, a green seedless

Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, is continuing to grow and diversify its global strategy. To that end, produce industry leader Mark Lewis has been appointed its executive vice president, launching an aggressive expansion strategy. He will be in charge of new product development. A former director and product leader of Chiquita's deciduous division and chief executive officer of Richland Sales Co., Mr. Lewis is credited with developing and growing several highly successful domestic and import programs globally. "We want to diversify the company and leverage our global presence,"

LONGUEUIL, QC -- The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will pay tribute to women working in the produce industry at its 61st annual convention Aug. 14-16 at the Fairmount Le Manoir Richelieu in LaMalbaie, QC. In addition to numerous networking and educational opportunities, convention attendees will be able to partake in many exciting outdoor activities that the venue, about two hours northeast of Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, offers. Sophie Perreault, the association's executive director, was looking forward to the upcoming convention. "We have a lot of families and people coming

After more than eight years in the Northwest fruit industry, Diamond Fruit Co. Vice President of Marketing Neil Galone has announced he is moving back into California citrus as vice president of sales for Booth Ranches in Orange Cove, CA. Mr. Galone, who has been with Odell, OR-based Diamond since 2005 and who was vice president of sales for the fresh division of Snokist in Yakima, WA, for five years prior to the Diamond move, told The Produce News Aug. 5 that his last day in Odell was to be Aug. 8. Diamond recently entered into an agreement with Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA

In late April, Pleasanton, CA-based Safeway Inc. announced that it had formed Better Living Brands Alliance to market its "O Organics" and "Eating Right" brands to other retail channels in the United States. James White, president of Safeway's Lucerne Foods Inc. division, will lead the newly formed alliance. He has a lengthy background in the consumer packaged goods sector. Lucerne Foods is a top food manufacturer with programs for private label, co-packing and foodservice. Both the "O Organics" and "Eating Right" brands are slated for a fall 2008 national rollout. "O Organics" is a multi

From coast to coast, Idaho potato fans showed their love for the spud in the Idaho Potato Commission's iTuber Take II Video Contest. Entrants submitted spud-inspired shorts including animated educational videos, horror flicks and documentaries, all vying for a chance to win the $3,000 grand prize. Scott Winn from Rexburg, ID, took top honors winning the $3,000 grand prize. The two runners up, who won $1,000 each, were John Lars Lindstrom from Glendora, CA, and Lantz Barbour from Silver Spring, MD. Michael Cochran from Wilder, ID, won first prize in the Idaho high school video contest. "It's so