Franklin Farms in North Franklin, CT, has entered into a contractual arrangement with Giorgio Fresh Co. whereby production and distribution of Franklin Farms fresh mushrooms will be moved to Giorgio Fresh, based in Reading, PA. Franklin Farms will focus its Connecticut operations on its branded all-natural vegetarian products, including "Portabella Veggiburgers," "Portabella Veggiballs," "Portabella Veggidogs" and specialty organic mushrooms. There will be no interruption of service to Franklin Farms' current fresh mushroom customers. Franklin Farms' "Portabella Veggiburger" is one of the top

BOSTON -- The trade show may be the raison d'etre of the New England Produce Council's annual Produce & Floral Expo, but before the opening of the sixth annual gathering, held Wednesday, April 5 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, a number of preliminary events were held. As in previous years, attendees gathered on the evening before the expo for a cocktail party, held this year at the elegant Omni Parker House. Wednesday's activities began with a keynote breakfast, where NEPC President Robert McGowan of Advantage Sales & Marketing/ESM welcomed everyone, and then introduced keynote

"Specialty produce" might be one of the more vague terms used in the fresh produce industry. What defines a specialty produce item and when is it no longer "special?" When does a specialty product become conventional? And who makes these decisions? Ever since the term "specialty produce" was first used to define a category, it has been impossible for the industry to designate a specific list of commodities to fill it. It is difficult to define because produce items that make the list don't always stay there long. The kiwifruit is an example of how quickly a specialty produce can become a

"Fruit and veggies -- more matters!" If the experts are right, this phrase could become as ubiquitous as the well know tag lines "Got Milk?" or "Just Do It." At its annual board meeting in Monterey, CA, March 30 to April 1, the Produce for Better Health Foundation announced its new national action plan to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. At the heart of that plan is the new slogan, which will serve as the brand identity for the fruit and vegetable industry, just as the aforementioned tag lines serve milk producers and the athletic shoemaker Nike respectively. The new brand will be

On Saturday, April 1, the Produce for Better Health Foundation held its National Excellence Award Luncheon in San Francisco to announce the winners of its crystal awards, and Melissa's had the honor of being awarded the Diamond Crystal Award, the highest honor of all the PBH 2005 National Excellence Awards. Melissa's/World Variety Produce Inc., a specialty produce distributor headquartered in Los Angeles, was honored for its multifaceted outreach efforts, including its commitment to children's nutrition education. The Melissa's team visited schools and conducted student education programs

VANCOUVER, BC -- Smart Technology/LLS Canada thinks it may have built a better clamshell, and its own early tests suggest it might be on to something. Oliver, BC-based Smart Technology rolled out the clamshell at the 81st annual Canadian Produce Marketing Association's convention and exposition, held here March 22-25. Leith Handley, sales manager for Smart Technology, said that the clamshell utilizes modified interactive packaging that allows the produce to control its own environment via its own biofeedback mechanisms. Print material from Smart Technology includes selling points of the MIP