SALINAS, CA -- Blazer Wilkinson, one of the nation's larger shippers of fresh strawberries, will grow, market and ship California strawberries under the "Foxy" brand beginning in mid-March. Under terms of the licensing agreement with The Nunes Co., owners of the "Foxy" brand, Blazer Wilkinson will handle all sales of "Foxy" strawberries to retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States. "The 'Foxy' brand name is synonymous with premium-quality produce in the minds of produce buyers and consumers," John Wilkinson, a partner of Blazer Wilkinson, said in a March 11 statement. "We wanted

WASHINGTON -- Federal food-safety officials publicized the release of the final guidelines for handling of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables on the same day U.S. Food & Drug Administration officials testified before Congress on produce safety. FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach said that Americans should be eating fresh-cut produce as part of a healthy diet, but these products are one area where foodborne illnesses occur. "Offering clearer guidance to industry should aid in the reduction of health hazards that may be introduced or increased during the fresh-cut produce production process

Chiquita Brands International Inc. issued a statement March 14 from Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer, in response to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the previously disclosed investigation of protection payments made by the company's former banana-producing subsidiary in Colombia: "The information filed today is part of a plea agreement, which we view as a reasoned solution to the dilemma the company faced several years ago. "In 2003, Chiquita voluntarily disclosed to the Department of Justice that its former banana-producing subsidiary had been

Melissa's/World Variety Produce Inc. in Los Angeles began shipping Sicilian Tarocco oranges the week of March 12, and Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's, said that this season's crop is living up to its reputation for high quality. "Sicilian Tarocco oranges are considered premium in the citrus category," said Mr. Schueller. "The Brix level is consistently fabulous year after year. The ecological balance of the island's coastal breezes, volcanic soil from Mount Etna and the warm climate gives the fruit a red interior blush. For centuries, these oranges have been a

Five Crowns Marketing in Brawley, CA, has announced plans to build what will be the Imperial Valley's first citrus packinghouse and to do its own marketing for the fruit packed in the facility. In conjunction with that expansion, the company has also announced the hiring of Mike Maler as vice president of retail sales. "Five Crowns has been a citrus grower for a number of years in the Imperial Valley, but we have never packed and marketed the product ourselves," said Bill Colace, co-owner of the company along with his brother Joe Colace. The new packing facility, which will be located in

Mango importers in the United States have entered a rare demand-exceeds- supply situation as shipments from Peru have just about stopped and the early part of the Mexican deal is marked by light supplies. The U.S. mango deal is a logistical puzzle as a half-dozen countries juggle supplies to the United States throughout the year. Within each of those countries there are typically several deals with different timing and different varieties. Mexico itself has almost a dozen distinct production areas, each supplying product for several weeks to several months. This varied supply situation usually