LAS_VEGAS -- An announced crowd of 4,000 registrants met here April 21- 24 for the United Fresh Produce Association's annual convention and trade show. Outgoing Chairman of the Board Tom Lovelace of McEntire Produce in Columbia, SC, told the opening general session participants that the registration for this stand-alone show topped last year's number when United shared its show with the Food Marketing Institute. FMI is returning to Las Vegas next year, but United will again go it alone at the same venue and roughly the same timing. The opening session Wednesday morning, April 22, also featured

LAS VEGAS -- In what is basically a swapping of positions, Salinas, CA-based Growers Express LLC has become the holder of the master license agreement for the "Green Giant Fresh" brand, while the previous holder of that agreement, The Sholl Group II, has become a sub-license holder for use of the brand in the value-added sector. Woody Johnson , senior vice president of Growers Express and general manager of the new venture, told The Produce News that his firm had become the volume leader so it made sense that it manage the branding agreement with the 13 other sub-licensees. The Green Giant

Idaho Potato Commission President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Muir represented the Idaho potato industry on the international front as a speaker at the seventh World Potato Congress March 23 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mr. Muir was invited to speak to more than 400 potato industry delegates from around the world on the future of processed potato products, an important trend in the on-the-go world. Mr. Muir's more than five years of experience with the commission, as well as his proven success leading consumer packaged goods companies like General Mills, the R.T. French Co. and ConAgra

California Giant launches traceability pilot program using HarvestMark April 23, 2009 California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, a leading berry grower and shipper in the United States, is deploying HarvestMark for unit-level traceability of strawberries. HarvestMark codes on California Giant strawberry four-pound clamshells will deliver instant traceback to its buyers and new levels of information to consumers interested in learning more about the products they purchase. "We take great pride to ensure quality, flavor and customer service every day," Cindy Jewell, director of marketing

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced April 15 that two water projects of significant importance to agricultural producers in Washington state will be funded as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The stimulus package will include $5 million for the Potholes Supplemental Feed Route and another $50 million for the Weber Siphon Complex. "We are going to see construction start on efforts to help the Odessa [WA] aquifer and strengthen water delivery to the south part of the Columbia Basin Project," Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato

LAS VEGAS -- The United Fresh Produce Association's Research & Education Foundation announced April 22 that it will form a new Center for Global Produce Sustainability, designed to help companies across the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain enhance their businesses through sustainability. The center will initially be funded through a $1.1 million endowment grant over four years from Bayer CropScience. The announcement was made by United Chairman of the Board Tom Lovelace of McEntire Produce and by John Smith, director of the horticulture region for Bayer CropScience, during the opening