WASHINGTON -- With the Senate slated to debate the farm bill during the week of Nov. 5, President Bush named former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer as his choice to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The two-term former governor would replace Acting Secretary Chuck Conner, who was installed when Mike Johanns quit the job in September to run for the Senate. Mr. Schaefer would have to be confirmed by the Senate before leading the USDA. In the coming weeks, questions will be raised about his position on key issues before Congress. National Farmers Union President Tom Buis commended President

From global management to its product line, a wide set of changes will be implemented at Chiquita Brands International Inc. The Cincinnati-based company announced Oct. 29 sweeping changes designed to accelerate its previously announced strategy to become the "global leader in healthy, fresh foods." The company said that this business restructuring is designed to improve its profitability by consolidating operations and simplifying its overhead structure to improve efficiency, stimulate innovation and further enhance focus on customers and consumers. The restructuring plan and management

Pro*Act, a leading fresh produce supplier to the foodservice industry based in Monterey, CA, announced that Nick Proia has been promoted to vice president of sales. He assumes the responsibilities from Steve Finberg, who recently stepped down to accept a senior executive role at Adams Produce, one of Pro*Act's distribution companies. Mr. Proia has over 20 years experience in the industry, holding sales and management positions in foodservice produce distribution, value-added processing and product development. Most recently, he was client services director for Pro*Act. Prior to his employment

Widespread wildfires and even more widespread fierce Santa Ana winds in Southern California early in the week of Oct. 21 caused damage, and in some cases severe damage, to thousands of acres of avocados and other crops. But the scope of the damage to the state's total avocado crop is now believed to be lower than some in the industry initially feared and much lower than some early news reports indicated. "Clearly, individual growers have suffered some devastating losses, and we have probably got around 4,000 acres that have suffered anything from superficial scorching of the foliage all the

The conversion of Florida's longtime Kash n' Karry supermarket chain to Sweetbay Supermarkets has been completed as the last Kash n' Karry went through the transformation this past summer. The Europe-based Delhaize Group, which bought the longtime Florida retailer in 2001, started a separate entity in 2004 called Sweetbay Supermarkets and began the transformation process. Sweetbay spokesperson Nicole LeBeau said the new supermarket chain was so successful that the conversion process was accelerated. When Delhaize announced its final conversion this summer, the Sweetbay chain numbered 103

LOS ANGELES -- Nick Rendon, sales manager of the Nogales division of the Giumarra Cos., announced Oct. 31 that Giumarra will be offering a line of organic products from Mexico this fall. "We have worked with the Llano family from Guaymas, Sonora, for many years, and they have consistently supplied us with high-quality green peppers, colored bell peppers, cucumbers and cantaloupes," Mr. Rendon said in a statement. "In response to demand from our customers and consumers, Mr. Llano is now producing cantaloupes and shadehouse grown organic vegetables. The organic products will be packed in the