Zappala Farms' 12 locations in the central New York state area include farming operations, a packaging facility and a headquarters office. The company grows, packs and markets the popular "Empire-Sweets" branded sweet onion. "We are spread between Oswego and Cayuga counties," Jim Zappala, managing member of the company, told The Produce News in late July. "Our 70,000-square-foot packing facility is in Sterling, and our main office is in Victory. Empire Fresh-Cuts is a sister company to Zappala Farms, of which I am co-owner. Its functions are slicing, dicing and whole peeling onions for

WASHINGTON -- Tomato growers will get a chance to tell their stories about the millions of dollars lost during what they call a botched investigation into the recent Salmonella outbreak at two congressional hearings scheduled for the last week of July. Two House committees are set to explore the latest Salmonella investigation on July 30 and July 31. The hearings on Capitol Hill come as the Food & Drug Administration announced a strong lead in the outbreak investigation: a jalape?o pepper grown in Mexico and found at a Texas distributor that tested positive for the outbreak strain Salmonella

MONTREAL -- Robert Beauregard resigned as Sobeys Ontario's senior director of produce merchandising and procurement and has joined Metro Inc. as its new director of central negotiation for produce for Ontario and Quebec. Mr. Beauregard will report to Bernadette Hamel, Metro's senior director for produce replenishment, merchandising and central procurement. Ms. Hamel told The Produce News July 23 that he will be starting his new position July 28. "Robert Beauregard has joined the Metro family," Ms. Hamel confirmed. "I think this is a plus for the company as we will enjoy his vast experience

Rainmaker Media Group, a Charleston, WV-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm, has been hired by Waterford, MI-based Saven Corp., owners of the Oso Sweet onion, to promote its winter and spring sweet onions. Rainmaker will execute an international campaign that will focus on increasing the visibility of the "Oso Sweet" brand while jumpstarting the marketing of its latest offering, Oso Sweet of Texas. With the Texas program, the Oso Sweet varietal that until now was grown only in Chile will also be cultivated in Texas, making "Oso Sweet" onions available in produce aisles from

Wal-Mart highlighted its commitment to carry more local fruits and vegetables in California, to keep produce prices down and offer affordable selections that are fresh and healthy during a watermelon promotion event in West Sacramento, CA. The retailer also said that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years -- one example of the company's efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food. Today, hundreds of growers across the United States provide produce sold in Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, making Wal-Mart

WASHINGTON -- Tomato growers and first handlers nationwide could get money for losses stemming from the federal government's Salmonella warning if a bill introduced June 24 by U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) becomes law. The Florida lawmaker, who represents tomato growers, is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to dole out $100 million in federal disaster assistance to help businesses unable to market tomato crops as a result of the Food & Drug Administration's June 7 health advisory. Under the bill, USDA would write regulations on eligibility and on the amount of money companies could be