The family portrait of the folks who make up the produce industry is changing. Old and new generations stand side by side. Different nationalities join the picture. More women are taking over decision-making positions. New players enter the scene and strategic alliances are formed. The ways we work are different too. Many processes are now automated and computerized. There's a new awareness about sustainable development. Higher health and safety standards and global trade make new demands. More and more rules govern business and trade, and must be followed to the letter of the law. People’s

Following a planned leadership succession process, the board of directors of A. Duda & Sons Inc., a diversified land company based in Oviedo, FL, has elected David J. Duda to succeed Joseph A. Duda as chief executive officer of the family-owned corporation, effective Aug. 30. David Duda, 48, who has served as president and CEO-designate of the company since September 2009, is the first member of the fourth generation of the Duda family to hold the top executive position. "We congratulate David on his election following a well planned leadership succession process," F.S. Duda, chairman of the

MONTEREY, CA — Traceback capability is nothing new to the produce industry. It is a capability many companies have had internally for a long time, according to panelists participating in a July 31 workshop on the Produce Traceability Initiative, held here during the Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference & Exposition. The problem, according to the panelists, is that the in-house systems currently in place in different companies at different levels throughout the supply chain are not compatible, making traceback of a product from one end of the supply chain to the other

Cool early-summer temperatures in Mexico have combined with colder-than- usual winter temperatures in Peru to create a demand-exceeds-supply situation this summer for asparagus. Typically, Mexico is the major early-summer asparagus producer, and Peru's volume increases throughout the summer to its typical peak in October. This year, however, Mexico has less volume than usual, and although Peru’s volume continues to increase every year, low July temperatures did not allow growers to jumpstart the production and take advantage of the hot market. Adding to the lack-of-supply situation has been a

J.P. Dulcich & Sons is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with an increased merchandising program that should boost retail sales of its products. This year, J.P. Dulcich & Sons has made it a priority to focus on creating a quality, seamless look and feel for all its table grape products, starting with its newly designed and illustrated "Pretty Lady" and “Harvest Hobgoblin” bags. Not only are these bags attractive, with their colorful, illustrated elements prominently featured, but they are functional for both retailers and consumers. With strategically placed holes for proper drainage

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX -- As is increasingly the case these days when producers and purveyors of produce gather, food safety was an inescapable topic on the opening day of the 2010 Texas Produce Association convention, set to run Aug. 11-13 at the Sheraton Beach Hotel, here. After a kickoff golf tournament Wednesday morning that drew dozens of participants despite temperatures well over 100 degrees and a low-key welcoming reception later that evening at a well-known South Padre hangout, Texas produce grower-shippers put their 10-gallon work hats on Thursday morning to tackle the topic of food