The nearly continual daisy-chain of tropical weather systems that has moved across the Atlantic Ocean this summer has held Central American producers at full attention. Tropical Storm Alex hit central Belize June 27, bringing severe thunderstorms and winds of 40-60 mph. Tropical Storm Karl hit northern Belize Sept. 15, delivering severe thunderstorms and winds of 40-60 mph. Karl later turned into a Category 3 hurricane before hitting Veracruz, Mexico. Most recently, Tropical Storm Mathew hit southern Belize Sept. 25, bringing severe thunderstorms and winds of 40-50 mph. Brooks Tropicals LLC

AR-Cal Distributing in Arvin, CA, has taken over as the exclusive North American sales agent for the Maui Gold pineapple, which is now being grown and packed by the Haliimaile Pineapple Co. Ltd. in Halliimaile, HI. AR-Cal is the marketing and distribution arm of Trino Packing & Cold Storage Inc., which is also headquartered in Arvin and owned by longtime produce industry veteran John Trino. Mr. Trino said that he has long had an affinity for Hawaii and became well acquainted with the Maui Gold pineapple when it was being marketed by the Maui Land & Pineapple Co. That company, which owns and

Things will be very "pink" at Dan Graiff Farms LLC in Newfield, NJ, during the month of October. “We are switching our boxes to pink '5 Star' logos to raise money for breast cancer research during the month,” Jamie Graiff, co-owner of the company told The Produce News. “The breast cancer pink ribbon logo is printed on an insert that will go into every box thanking our customers for their purchase, explaining our breast cancer research fundraiser and advising them of where they can send their own donations if they want.” Mr. Graiff said that the company specifically chose the Breast Cancer

The relatively cool summer in Southern California has helped extend the California avocado season this year, and the California Avocado Commission is actively promoting the late-season fruit while gearing up its plans for 2011. CAC will share the latest avocado category data demonstrating the value of the California season and unveil key aspects of the commission's marketing support plans at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit expo. "California avocados are on track for outstanding performance in 2010," Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the commission, said in a press release. “At retail

Red Blossom Sales, based in Salinas, CA, will be offering Florida strawberries as part of its winter and early-spring product sales. The McDonald family in Plant City, FL, which has been growing strawberries in Florida for 30 years, will grow and sell 200 acres of Florida strawberries exclusively for Red Blossom. Additionally, Mark McDonald, along with his son, Shane, and nephew Andy McDonald, will all be joining Red Blossom. Mark McDonald is excited to bring all his business operations under one umbrella company and label. "Red Blossom's conscientious growing practices and focus on quality

Naturipe Farms has appointed Brian Jenny to the newly created position of director of business development for the East Coast, effective Oct 4. In this role, Mr. Jenny will have the responsibility of leading the East Coast sales team, servicing the firm's existing client base, and developing new business opportunities in the retail, foodservice and wholesale channels. "Brian brings an extremely strong skill set, management style and proven track record to Naturipe Farms," Jim Roberts, vice president of sales for Naples, FL-based Naturipe Farms, said in a Sept. 30 press release. “He has a keen