PHILADELPHIA -- G&G Produce Inc. has placed a deposit to buy the units of the now-defunct Ellis Fleisher Produce Co. on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal, here. Jimmy Storey, president of the Philadelphia Fresh Food Terminal Corp., told The Produce News July 3 that the market's board planned to convene the second week of July to approve the purchase. "I don't think there will be any problem [with the approval]," Mr. Storey said. Gary Goldblatt, who currently operates G&G from units 95 and 97 on the market, said July 3 that G&G is already using the Fleisher space in units 91, 93 and 95

WASHINGTON -- Some fresh fruit and vegetable companies have been pushing Congress to transfer import inspectors back to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but now a group of companies that import Mexican fresh fruits and vegetables say that such a move would be a mistake. "Moving agriculture inspections back to USDA-APHIS would be a significant step backwards, again relegating agriculture inspections to second-class status at all ports of entry," said Lee Frankel, president of the Nogales, AZ- based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. "At a time when the security of our nation at the

As the barbecues heat up for the summer grilling season, the California Avocado Commission is once again participating as an official sponsor of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger national recipe contest and cookoff. This is the fourth year CAC will sponsor and support this popular recipe contest, which presents the ideal setting and opportune timing to increase consumer demand for fresh California avocados in summer grilling activities. On the menu for CAC's marketing activities in support of its sponsorship are consumer radio, on-line banner advertising, in-store display materials and

The Washington stone fruit season is off to strong start, and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers' new two-pound easy punnet packaging is proving to be a hit with consumers. "We are really excited about the new package and the impact it is having at the store level," Scott Marboe, marketing director of the Wenatchee, WA- based firm said in early July. "Our vendor partners were asking for a way that we could maximize the impulse sale of stone fruits for today's shopper, and this consumer package, which is 100 percent environmentally friendly, has met that need. It has worked better than anticipated in

Meeting July 9 in Orlando, FL, with a group of the industry's larger and more respected foodservice operations, retailers and wholesalers, representatives from the California and Florida fresh tomato industries outlined a comprehensive, coordinated and ongoing effort to unify food-safety practices for U.S. tomatoes. Speaking on behalf of the Florida industry was Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, with Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Farmers cooperative, representing his members, which produce nearly 90 percent of the fresh-market tomatoes from

Ballantine Produce Co., based in Reedley, CA, announced July 3 that Rick Eastes has joined the company, effective July 1. Mr. Eastes will spearhead the company's launch of its premium "Grower's Table" concept and brand in table grapes from its California production areas. In a press release, David Albertson, president of Ballantine, called Mr. Eastes a "recognized leader and pioneer in the fresh produce industry with specific experience in the supply and marketing of table grapes from California, the Southern Hemisphere and Latin America." "Although Ballantine is already known for having a