Christopher Wada, 29, son of Albert Wada, who is chairman of Wada Farms in Pingree, ID, and grandson of the company's founder, Frank Wada, grew up in the potato business but worked briefly outside the industry after graduating from college before returning to the family business in October 2004. At that time, he joined the company's marketing entity, Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC in Idaho Falls, ID. His older brother, Brian Wada, is chief operating officer of Wada Farms Marketing. Chris Wada was born Aug. 16, 1980. "I grew up helping my dad on the farm," he told The Produce News Sept. 8. "I

Ippolito International LP is voluntarily recalling 1,715 cartons of bunched spinach distributed in 12 states and three Canadian provinces because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The Salinas, CA-based firm issued a press release Sept. 18 saying that "the voluntary recall is explicitly limited to 1,715 cartons" and "comes after routine random testing of bunched spinach in Michigan by the USDA Microbial Data Program, collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture tested positive. No illnesses have been reported to date." The release added that

WASHINGTON -- It is an active and energetic time here in the nation's capital. Bills of enormous consequence for our industry - and our country - are stacking up on the House and Senate floors, and the executive branch unveils new initiatives with regularity. While ideology and policy goals shape one's particular view of these events, no matter where you stand, the changes may be profound. The produce industry's level of engagement will determine its ability to influence the course of that change -- and may even in the end create new business opportunities. To win in Washington, you have to be

The Produce Marketing Association has named Nancy Ferguson its new public relations manager. Ms. Ferguson will be responsible for providing media and other public relations support for PMA events, including the Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition Oct. 2-5 in Anaheim, CA, as well as for association products, services, departments and staff experts. Her duties will include developing and executing plans for communicating with the media, the industry and the public as needed, and supporting PMA's ongoing member communications. She will also help enhance the public relations

The National Watermelon Promotion Board has planted the seeds for U.S. watermelons to be sold by Japanese retailers. Gordon Hunt, director of marketing for the board, Maggie Bailey, the 2009 national watermelon queen, and Eleanor Bullock, the National Watermelon Association's queen promotion coordinator, traveled to Japan in mid-August and promoted U.S.-grown watermelon for three days in three different Seiyu Ltd. stores in Tokyo. Seiyu is one of Japan's larger retailers. Mr. Hunt told The Produce News that he believed the board's in-store promotion, which kicked off two weeks of promotions in

The Chilean Avocado Importers Association considers its supermarket retail partnerships the cornerstone of its marketing efforts to successfully increase U.S.-based consumer demand and consumption of Hass avocados from Chile. As a result, the association has created a national platform to reach consumers in a way that will be customized for the market area of each supermarket retail partner. The association has launched the Chilean Avocado Lovers Club, which serves as a virtual community for Chilean avocado lovers to network with each other via the club's Facebook fan page, follow a live