NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the death of Robert G. Backovich, a long-time retail produce veteran. Mr. Backovich died June 30 at the age of 76. Mr. Backovich suffered from from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, a disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid in various organs and tissues of the body. Mr. Backovich held a series of leadership positions with PMA throughout his career, ultimately leading up to his role as chairman of the board in 1987. In 1981, he served his first one-year term on PMA's board of directors and

RIVERHEAD, NY -- It's a "Superior" for Fresh from the Start LLC. Fresh from the Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, earned a "Superior" rating from AIB International for its broccoli growing and shipping operation in Caribou, ME, and the firm expects this year's deal to kick off in mid-July. Fresh from the Start, which along with Smith's Farm in Presque Isle, ME, is among the few grower-shippers involved in the Maine broccoli deal, takes pride in its quality control and employs its own inspector to personally inspect every load, Eric Scannelli, Fresh from the Start's sales

Spectators who stopped by the Giant Foods booth at the 2008 American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania June 25 saw the walk-around Cookie Monster and had an opportunity to enter a raffle offering prizes that promoted healthy lifestyles to children. California Giant, a partner in Sesame Street's Healthy Habits for Life program, has teamed up with Giant Foods in Carlisle, PA, and at its booth, the firm encouraged children to make healthy choices through activities, handouts and an appearance by walk-around Cookie Monster. California Giant Berry Farms also supported health and fitness

"Our Roots Keep us Growing" is the theme at Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group this year, as the full-service marketer celebrates its 150th birthday. Among the roots that keep the company thriving, said John Anderson, Oppenheimer's chairman, president and chief executive officer, are its enduring relationships with a global family of growers. One such grower, Casey Houweling, president of Houweling's Hot House in Delta, BC, and Oxnard, CA, recently renewed his supply arrangement with Oppenheimer, assuring an integrated marketing approach for his premium mainstream and specialty hothouse

In less than two years, biofuels have gone from promising fossil-fuel alternative to scourge of the planet. Criticisms surrounding feedstock for biofuels tend to center on two main points of contention: that growing feedstock for biofuel takes good agricultural land out of production, thus leading to escalating food prices and exacerbating global hunger; and that the world's thirst for biofuels has led to deforestation and its attendant problems. One feedstock that largely has risen above the cacophony of negativity is Jatropha Curcas, one of 175 different plants, shrubs and trees in the

Some U.S. apple professionals engaged in interesting travel abroad in April and May. The New York state Department of Agriculture & Markets in Albany organized a Cuban trade mission that took place April 21-24. And on May 19-24, a delegation of apple-industry professionals from several states participated in a trade mission to Russia that was organized by the U.S. Apple Export Council. Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, participated in both trips. He said that the result was an increase in hope and enthusiasm for apple trade with both countries