The National Mango Board recently launched the on-line interactive game Jango Geography to educate children about mangos and the countries from which they originate. Additionally, children will learn about the flavor and health benefits of mangos with the ultimate goal of increasing mango consumption. The board's goal is to increase mango consumption and teach kids about geography and the health and flavor benefits of mangos through the game. Jango Mango - a mango-looking cartoonish mascot that serves as the board's global ambassador - guides players through the on-line activity, which can be

The Washington Apple Commission, headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, is working to appoint a new president in January. This past September, former President David Carlson was placed on administrative leave, and Ken Severn was appointed interim president of the organization. According to Robin Mooney, WAC vice president and operations director, the position has been advertised in industry publications, websites and general circulation newspapers. "We have it out there," she told The Produce News in October. At that time, the commission had received 50 applications. Ms. Mooney said that she and Mr

WASHINGTON -- Jerry Welcome has been named president of the Reusable Packaging Association, based here. He started the job Nov. 3 as the first full- time president of RPA, a group whose membership has grown considerably over the past year. Mr. Welcome returns to heading a trade group after serving as executive vice president of business development at the United Fresh Produce Association from 2006 to 2008. Before that, Mr. Welcome had been president of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association for three years until it merged with United Fresh in 2006. "I am very excited to be back

Stemilt Growers Inc., based in Wenatchee, WA, is slicing its way into one of the faster-growing value-added market segments of the fresh produce industry. Two years ago, the company began slicing and bagging fresh apples, and it is currently making a big push to introduce consumers to its trademarked "AppleSweets." During the latter part of October, the product -- and the cutting-edge technology used to create the slices -- were featured on the Food Network's show, "How'd That Get on my Plate?" After conducting research that included focus group reaction to the product's flavor profile and

LA QUINTA, CA -- Wegman's Food Markets Inc., the Rochester, NY-based supermarket chain that is often credited with having one of the better produce operations in the country, has started to wade into the sustainability debate. Bill Pool, the chain's manager of agricultural production and research, was on a panel exploring the subject at the Western Growers Association convention, here, Nov. 9-12. From his company's perspective, he defined sustainability as the development of business practices and strategies that promise the long- term well being of the planet. Wegman's has embarked on an in

LA QUINTA, CA -- Western Growers Association's 83rd annual convention, held here Nov. 9-12, carried the theme "Produce, Parties & Politics," and featured a heavy dose of all three. Kevin Andrew of Sun World International was elected chairman of the board Nov. 10. Mr. Andrew, who is chief operating officer of Sun World, based in Bakersfield, CA, succeeds outgoing Chairman of the Board Robert Gray, chief executive officer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. in Salinas, CA. Politics took center stage at the Political Action Committee breakfast Tuesday, Nov. 11, which featured California Insurance