Ballantine Produce Co., based in Reedley, CA, announced July 3 that Rick Eastes has joined the company, effective July 1. Mr. Eastes will spearhead the company's launch of its premium "Grower's Table" concept and brand in table grapes from its California production areas. In a press release, David Albertson, president of Ballantine, called Mr. Eastes a "recognized leader and pioneer in the fresh produce industry with specific experience in the supply and marketing of table grapes from California, the Southern Hemisphere and Latin America." "Although Ballantine is already known for having a

RIVERHEAD, NY -- Fresh From The Start LLC is ready for another great season of its Maine broccoli. Now in its 12th year, Fresh From The Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, expects to begin shipping broccoli from Caribou, ME, during the week of July 16. In preparation for this year's deal, the company has focused its efforts on new seed varieties suited for the East Coast for its Asian-cut program, which Eric Scannelli, Fresh From The Start's sales manager, told The Produce News would begin shipping the week of July 23 and is "far ahead of last year's program, and last year was

Illustrating the company's commitment to providing shoppers with quality organic foods, Hannaford Bros. Co., which operates 159 supermarkets in the Northeast, recently announced that it had completed the rigorous process of becoming a certified organic retailer. Hannaford is the only traditional supermarket in the Northeast to meet the strict guidelines of Quality Assurance International's Organic Certification Program for Retailers. QAI is an independent, third-party group that verifies organic quality and integrity for organizations around the world. "The requirements for obtaining certified

The Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center at the University of California-Davis has selected Jim Gorny, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the United Fresh Produce Association and former vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the International Fresh- cut Produce Association, to join the center in the new position of executive director. "Dr. Gorny is one of the most respected technical leaders in the produce industry and post-harvest academic community, and we are fortunate to add him to our team to significantly expand the center's

The United Fresh Produce Association announced that David Gombas has been promoted to senior vice president for food safety and technology, leading all association activities and member services in the scientific and technical areas, a position held by Jim Gorny, who announced that he will leave the association at the end of the month to head the Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center at the University of California- Davis. As United Fresh's chief food-safety officer, Dr. Gombas will oversee the development and implementation of food-safety, quality-assurance, supply- chain

Steinbeck Country Produce is now offering baby Iceberg lettuce as a complement to its full line of vegetables. This specially developed variety produces grapefruit-size heads of Iceberg lettuce that the company says feature a sweeter, more flavorful taste than conventional Iceberg. "Customer reaction has been extremely positive to our new baby lettuce," Chris Huntington, chief executive officer of Steinbeck Country Produce, said in a statement. "We're working with several local chefs on developing recipes using the babies, and they have had overwhelming success by adding it to their menus