A new PLU number has been confirmed and assigned by the Produce Electronic Identification Board and the International Federation for Produce Standards for pomegranates size 24 and larger. The new number is 3440. PLU code 3127 is now used for size 30-36 and 4445 remains for size 42 and smaller. "Retailers have needed this new category because they are now stocking multiple pomegranate sizes to respond to shopper demand," Kurt Vetter, senior vice president of sales for Pom Wonderful, said in a press release. "The smallest sizes are often purchased for use in decorative wreathes and tabletop

John Carapella, warehouse manager for World Pack, recently announced to The Produce News that its new facility in Gloucester City, NJ, is racked and ready, and now open and fully operational. World Pack's 94,000-square-foot facility is equipped to handle all products and importers' needs. "The building has 2,058 pallet positions," said Mr. Carapella. "Another benefit is its close proximity to the ports in the area. It provides retail inspectors an easy and convenient inspection process. The location eliminates the congestion of at-port inspections, and the facility is easy to get in and out of

lvaro Colom will be sworn in as the new president of Guatemala on Jan. 14. A key leader in the new administration will be Alfredo Miron. A fresh foliage grower-exporter, Alfredo Miron may be best known in the U.S. produce and floral industry for being, in the 1990s, the first international member on the board of the Newark, DE-based Produce Marketing Association. In an interview with The Produce News on Nov. 6, Mr. Miron said that he has been a lifelong friend of Mr. Colom, as the two attended school together in Guatemala City. On Nov. 5, The New York Times described "lvaro Colom as "a gawky

Steffanie Smith has taken the reins at River Point Farms in Hermiston, OR, as its new chief executive officer. She assumed her new responsibilities the week of Nov. 5. River Point Farms is among America's larger onion producers, and Ms. Smith said, "I look forward to bringing a new perspective to the company while preserving the integrity of the already-established business." "The board of directors and executive management team are elated to welcome Steffanie to River Point Farms," said Mike Rawlings, board chairman. "Her knowledge base and wealth of experience will be an asset as we expand

While participating in a produce industry charity golf tournament, one of the players in my foursome hooked his tee shot like the bend in a banana. The ball got off with a good rip, but then curved from right to left, hit a tree branch and bounced into a small pond. What do you think came out of his mouth next? You guessed it. "I got it out there, but the wind took it away from me," he grumbled after tossing his club toward his bag. When a self-imposed error is made so conspicuously, people often blame something or someone else for it; such was the case with the banana drive. The golfer shook

After Hurricane Dean ravaged the countryside of northern Belize, Brooks Tropicals employees helped to distribute emergency food and supplies for the United Nations' UNICEF program. Brooks also sent crews and equipment to clean up debris and help repair homes in the area. Working with the Belize Defense Force and the British military, 30 employees of Brooks Tropicals unloaded and repackaged over 120 metric tons of food including water, rice, protein biscuits and beans. This was quickly accomplished due to a standing agreement between Belize's National Emergency Management Organization and