AUSTIN, TX -- Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats Markets have announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Whole Foods Market will acquire Wild Oats Markets' outstanding common stock in a cash tender offer of $18.50 per share, or approximately $565 million based on fully diluted shares. Whole Foods Market will also assume Wild Oats Markets' existing net debt totaling approximately $106 million as reported Sept. 30, 2006. With annual sales of approximately $1.2 billion, Wild Oats Markets is one of the leading natural and organic foods retailers in North America

The California Tree Fruit Agreement, based in Reedley, CA, announced that Colleen Duhart has been named vice president of marketing, effective Feb. 12. "Colleen has a diverse background in integrated marketing and brings new experience to the CTFA team," CTFA President Sheri Mierau said in a statement. "We look forward to the continued success of current CTFA marketing programs as well as additional insights and innovations under Colleen's leadership." As vice president of marketing, Ms. DuHart will work in close partnership with Ms. Mierau and will lead the marketing team in the development

A gathering of some 400 growers and interested parties turned out Feb. 6 for the annual Idaho-eastern Oregon growers meeting in Ontario, OR. Held at the Four River Cultural Center, the daylong event incorporated a trade show with numerous work sessions and panel discussions. According to Sherise Jones, marketing director of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, a luncheon also provided the opportunity to present industry awards, hold marketing order elections and provide an overview of the National Onion Association's promotions program. Ms. Jones also presented a promotions committee

The Vidalia Onion Committee in Vidalia, GA, announced the 2006 winners for Hall of Fame and Grower of the Year at its annual Growers' Celebration Feb. 3. The 2006 Grower of the Year award was presented posthumously to Wayne Douberly of Vidalia. Mr. Douberly died in October; his wife, Frances, accepted the award on his behalf. Mr. Douberly began farming with his father in 1958 right out of high school, growing vegetables in Homestead, FL. He farmed there throughout the 1960s and then moved his family to Vidalia in 1970 and began raising cattle. He did that for nearly two decades, then in 1989

Temperatures that dropped to about 27 degrees Feb. 17 in Belle Glade, FL, and then to 30-31 degrees Feb. 19 caused losses to sweet corn and green beans that are expected to reach into the millions of dollars. "Those temperature recordings do not take into consideration the wind-chill factor, which brought them down even lower," said Danny Raulerson, director of marketing and membership for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, who is also the manager of the Florida Sweet Corn Exchange. "Besides western Palm Beach County, a large corn loss was also reported from the Homestead [FL] area

Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati has appointed Michael J. Holcomb, 47, vice president of corporate sales and customer development. He will be responsible for the company's global sales organization and will report to Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. He will also serve on the company's management committee. "Mike has more than 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, and during his career, he consistently delivered sustainable, profitable growth," Mr. Aguirre said in a release. "I am confident that Mike will successfully continue to