On July 20, Manuel (Manny) Maldonado, an employee of Baldor Specialty Foods in the Bronx, NY, was involved in a serious car accident in which he suffered a severe spinal cord injury, one that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Mr. Maldonado is 31 years old and the father of a young boy, Manny Jr. He has been with Baldor since October 2003, and his solid work ethic and positive attitude helped pave the way for several promotions within the company. In 2006, he enthusiastically relocated to the company's new Boston facility from New York, where he assumed the role of night warehouse

In a proactive measure to ensure the integrity of onions grown in Idaho- Eastern Oregon's Treasure Valley, concerned shippers recently joined forces to form the non-profit Certified Onions Inc. According to corporate President Kay Riley, general manager of Snake River Produce in Nyssa, OR, the impetus behind the new company, which incorporated June 24, was twofold. Noting that the membership of Certified Onions Inc. is comprised of numerous Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee member sheds, Mr. Riley stated that the two entities are completely separate. "Many of our members are part of the

When the membership of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association gathers for its 81st annual convention Sept. 2-4 in Sun Valley, ID, it will mark the first year under the leadership of Travis Blacker, who took the helm following the retirement of the organization's former longtime president, Dave Smith. Mr. Blacker told The Produce News that overall it has been a successful and exciting first year. Aside from the many hours spent planning the annual Sun Valley convention, Mr. Blacker said that he has been busy working on various issues that affect the membership of the association. "I am involved

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Food & Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg will address produce industry leaders Friday morning, Sept. 11, attending the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference. "Given the importance of discussions about food safety legislation in Congress, Dr. Hamburg's contributions to the White House Food Safety Working Group and the FDA's recent issuance of commodity specific guidelines for tomatoes, melons and leafy greens, this is an outstanding opportunity for our industry to hear from the commissioner," United Fresh President and CEO Tom

"There is never a dull moment in the produce business," said Nick Mascari, new account sales representative for Indianapolis Fruit Co. Inc. in Indianapolis. "And no two days are the same. You have to love this business to work in it. But the people are the best in the world, and I knew from a young age that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I cannot see myself working in any other field." Mr. Mascari is the son of Mike Mascari, company president and one of five company owners. Throughout school, he often came to the office with his father, sometimes making $20 to do miscellaneous jobs

WASHINGTON -- One of the more visible food safety officials at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration - former Associate Commissioner for Foods David Acheson - started a new venture in August advising companies on food safety and trade issues at the consulting firm Leavitt Partners. With experience in infectious diseases and seven years as a food safety regulator, Dr. Acheson was asked by former Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to join a new consulting firm that focuses on trade, health and environmental issues. As managing director of Food & Import Safety Practice, Dr. Acheson said