This fall, Nickelodeon is partnering with Produce for Kids, an organization that seeks to educate kids on the benefits of healthy eating, to promote healthier lifestyles. The campaign, which runs through Nov. 5, will use promotional programs in produce departments around the country featuring Dora the Explorer and messaging surrounding the network's health and wellness campaign "Let's Just Play." Participating retailers include Meijer, which operates 176 Supercenters throughout the Midwest; Publix Super Markets, which currently operates 883 stores in the southeastern part of the country; and

Through the Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways program, the Produce Marketing Association will sponsor 24 collegiate food, agriculture, and marketing students along with their faculty advisors from six leading schools at the 2006 Fresh Summit in San Diego. "Attending Fresh Summit gives promising college students the opportunity to learn about and experience the produce and floral industries," said Cindy Seel, PMA Education Foundation director. "The students are getting valuable exposure to many successful and respected industry professionals. We encourage them to maintain these relationships

SALINAS, CA -- Lorri Koster said that growing up in the family business will help her step into a high-profile position with Mann Packing Co., based here. The company's board of directors elected Ms. Koster Oct. 5 to the role of co- chairman. She succeeds her father, Don Nucci, who died unexpectedly Sept. 4. Ms. Koster, 39, credits her father and Bill Ramsey, the late Mr. Nucci's partner of 39 years, for showing by example what leadership requires. "Dad was a real mentor," Ms. Koster said. "I want to make him proud." Mann Packing's strengths include its family-owned aspect, hands-on leadership

Stemilt Growers Inc. in Wenatchee, WA, is in the midst of packing and marketing its largest pear crop ever, including a broader array of pear varieties and promotions adding color to the pear lineup. Mike Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing for Stemilt, said that the company will sell as many as 1.5 million 44-pound-equivalent boxes of pears, up from 1 million in 2005-06. The larger crop for Stemilt comes at a time when Northwest pear growers are forecasting a smaller crop than was originally predicted in June. Hailstorms in early July damaged portions of the crop in the Wenatchee

As 2007 approaches, Well Pict is touting new strawberry varieties, growing techniques that are increasing production and new packaging as well as the expansion of its raspberry program. All Well Pict's strawberries are proprietary varieties, and in the coming year, new strawberry varieties will be shipping from all Well Pict's growing regions throughout California and Baja, providing continued year-round volume availability. These new varieties will represent the best of what a Well Pict berry is known for: luscious aroma, rich color, conical shape and sweet flavor. Well Pict continues to

PHILADELPHIA -- The Network of Executive Women, a national organization whose mission is to attract, retain and advance women through education, leadership and business development for the consumer products and retail industry, is expanding into the Philadelphia area. The Greater Philadelphia Area Regional Committee will be the ninth regional group in the country, joining groups in New England, New York metro, northwest Arkansas, western Michigan, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, Dallas and Florida. NEW currently has 152 regional committee members and 2,300 national members. The Greater