Two sister produce companies, Coastal Sunbelt Produce Co. and East Coast Fresh Cuts Inc., which share a large facility in Savage, MD, have been acquired by MCG Capital Corp., a publicly traded business-development company based in Arlington, VA. MCG's management team is also a buyer in this deal, which was completed Jan. 8. MCG Capital indicated that it has $1.3 billion in total assets. Coastal Sunbelt and East Coast Fresh Cuts are leading mid-Atlantic regional distributors of fresh produce and perishables, serving chain and independent retailers, as well as hotels, institutions and

John R. Catlin, who spent some 20 years with the Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association as the organization's PACA representative, died Jan. 27 in Olympia, WA. He was 90. Born July 9, 1917, in Platte, SD, Mr. Catlin graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. He spent four years in the U.S. Army during World War II, taking part in the Normandy invasion and landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Mr. Catlin began his produce industry career in 1946 as a fruit and vegetable inspector for the state of Washington. He was soon

Frontera Produce Ltd. in Edinburg, TX, has added a new transportation group as part of its growth plan for 2007. Realizing the need to reduce freight costs and develop a more efficient method of securing transportation, the company turned its focus to developing an in-house team dedicated to timely and reliable deliveries. To manage this program, Larry Stone and Dewayne Finn have joined the company, bringing with them an extensive background in transportation and logistics. "Finding more efficient ways to reach our broadening customer base has been a major focus for Frontera over the last 12

NEW YORK -- Cherries in every imaginable form, from pre-luncheon cherry lime rickey cocktails through several courses and all the way to the passion chiboust with tart cherry consomm? for dessert, were on hand for a luncheon presentation at Town Restaurant in the Chambers Hotel, here, Feb. 6. The event, hosted by the Cherry Marketing Institute, headquartered in Lansing, MI, brought together media, chefs and other professionals in a promotional effort with the goal of letting the world know about the flavor and health benefits of cherries. The institute was formed in 1988 and is funded by U.S

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- Dole Fresh Fruit Co. announced Feb. 16 the recall of cantaloupes in the eastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec due to potential health concerns. Some cantaloupes packed on Jan. 25, 26 and 27 by an independent, third- party grower in Costa Rica have tested positive for Salmonella. Although no illnesses have been reported, Dole voluntarily has decided to recall all cantaloupes imported from Costa Rica and packed by that grower. People infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses. According to the U.S. Food & Drug

The California Leafy Greens Advisory Board has been appointed, and the first meeting is set for Feb. 23 in Woodland, CA. Soon after, the board is expected to approve new mandatory food safety standards that will govern all handlers who sign the agreement. Though the California Department of Food & Agriculture has said that 90 percent of the leafy greens production in the state is represented, one major handler -- Fresh Express -- has declined to participate Mike Mitchell, director of communications for Chiquita Brands Inc., which owns Fresh Express, said that the nation's largest supplier of