In a sharply worded missive to its members, Western Growers Association condemned the actions of Publix Super Markets and a consortium of produce buyers that are seeking to impose their own set of food-safety standards on suppliers. Other organizations, including the Produce Marketing Association, expressed concern that the food-safety issue was being handled in such a manner. The reactions were precipitated by an Oct. 29 letter that was sent to produce suppliers by Publix, which claims to be part of the Food Safety Leadership Council that also includes Avendra LLC, Darden Restaurants

PHILADELPHIA -- The new rules on the handling of methyl bromide for fruit fumigation and their potential impact on the distribution of imported fruit was one of the topics discussed at the annual preseason Chilean fruit meeting held here Oct. 26. The Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia is the host of the annual meeting, which this year was presided over by Tom Mastromarco, who is president of the Chilean chamber. Mr. Mastromarco is also director of fruit marketing and customer service for Gloucester Marine Terminal LLC in Gloucester City, NJ. Scott Wood, director of

United Kingdom-based Tesco PLC was scheduled to open the doors of its first six U.S. stores, located in the Los Angeles area and flying the "Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market" store banner. Tesco was slated to begin operations Nov. 8 in those six stores, followed by openings later in the month and before the first of the year in both Arizona and Nevada. By early next year, the chain is expected to open about 50 convenience-style hybrids in the Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas areas. The company has held its plans close to its vest for the past year, but information has leaked over the

"Florida Tomato Growers Exchange members united since last spring against penny-per-pound deals, and they reaffirmed it at our annual meeting in the fall," said Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the organization. "We are currently starting our season and we do not want there to be any misunderstanding in this issue. We want it known that we continue our firm conviction." In effect, growers who sold tomatoes to Yum! Brands under the penny-per- pound deal last season will not participate in the penny-per-pound arrangement this year. Agreements will not be executed and are now considered

Sweetbay Supermarket, the Florida-based supermarket company of Delhaize Group, recently announced the appointment of Paul Sabattus as vice president of marketing. He will be responsible for brand management and positioning, consumer outreach and strategic marketing initiatives. Mr. Sabattus has more than 30 years of experience in all functions of retail sales and marketing in the supermarket industry. He joins Sweetbay from H-E-B Food & Drug, one of the nation's leading food and drug chains, where he served as director of sales and marketing for the Houston division and was responsible for the

Valentino Filice, a Gilroy, CA-native and farmer whose cooking skills helped established the Gilroy Garlic Festival as the pre-eminent garlic festival in the world, died Sunday, Nov. 4 after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. He was 80. Mr. Filice had been recruited in 1978 by festival co-founders Don Christopher of Gilroy-based Christopher Ranch and the late Rudy Melone to organize the festival's primary food concession. Mr. Filice directed that concession -- called Gourmet Alley -- and had a hand in festival operations until his death. Mr. Christopher said that when he relocated in 1957 to the