IRVINE, CA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture appointed new members to the federal Hass Avocado Board during the board's Nov. 28 meeting. The HAB board of directors then elected the new term's officers: Len Francis as chairman, Jim Donovan as vice chairman, Don Reeder as treasurer (re-elected) and Ed Figueroa as secretary (re-elected). The officers will serve a one-year term ending November 2008. Mr. Francis has served on the Hass Avocado Board since its inception in 2002, fulfilling the role of the board's treasurer in 2005-06 and vice chairman in 2006-07. In addition to his duties with

NOGALES, AZ -- At the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' board of directors meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4, members organized a selection committee to oversee the task of finding a candidate to fill the president's position for the association. Former FPAA Chairman Bill Sykes of The Sykes Co. was appointed chairman of the search committee. The other committee members are Alicia Martin of Wilson Produce and current FPAA chairwoman, Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers and current FPAA chairman-elect, Martin Ley of Del Campo Supreme, Walter Ram of The Giumarra Cos., Leonardo Tarriba of Farmer's Best

WASHINGTON -- Christopher Ranch Foods, based in Gilroy, CA, said that it has stopped sourcing fresh ginger from China after last summer's discovery of harmful pesticides and has switched to Brazilian varieties. "No Chinese ginger will be brought in until they figure out what's going on" with the country's food-safety programs, said Bill Christopher, managing partner of Christopher Ranch. The company said that it now sources from Brazil half the year and Hawaii the other half, and it conducts its own tests for contaminants. "We learned a good lesson. People need to test it before it comes in,"

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- With the Chilean fruit deal running two weeks late and the Brazilian grape deal over, Marc Solomon, president of Fisher Capespan, is anxiously awaiting the new year and the start of grape imports from South Africa. Furthermore, "Spanish clementine volume is down. It's a frustrating time" for retailers and their importers, who are located along the Delaware River waterfront. Fisher Capespan, which has offices here and in Montreal, has found a strong niche in the North American market with seedless wintertime grapes and is rapidly building its volume in the category. "In

SALINAS, CA -- Tanimura & Antle knocked one out of the park for Father's Day. Now the company is at it again, providing its customers a great toolkit to feature Iceberg lettuce during the winter football season in its Get A Head In The Game! retail promotion. "We're putting Iceberg lettuce back on the map" Rick Antle, Tanimura & Antle's chief executive officer, said in a statement. "It's always been America's favorite, so we're just reminding consumers why they love its crunch and versatility. As the football season heats up, it can be a part of any gameday meal or celebration." Once again

The National Mango Board, based in Orlando, FL, participated as a sponsor at the Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 27 and 28 in Washington, DC, and took the opportunity to debut Jango Mango, its new mascot and mango ambassador. The marathon was comprised of two main events: Camp Miles (children's race) and the official marathon. More than 2,000 children competed in a two-mile run during the Camp Miles race, whose opening ceremonies included a mascot race in which Jango Mango made his national debut to cheering crowds. To continue the mango madness, the National Mango Board had a booth at Camp Miles