TORONTO -- In its quest to become the destination of choice for consumers in a highly competitive Canadian marketplace, Sobey's Inc. has developed a strategy that seeks to leverage its expertise with category management to provide the freshest products possible. According to Joseph Sbrocchi, senior director of produce, floral and bulk foods for Sobey's, the company will achieve its goal by being focused on food, driven by fresh expertise and supported by incomparable customer care in the right-sized, right-format stores that serve the unique needs of each market. In his current position, Mr

NEW YORK -- Over 600 exhibiting companies showcased thousands of new products and services at the 13th annual International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, held here March 5-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event drew numerous chefs, restaurant owners, operators, distributors, wholesalers and producers, including members of the fresh produce category. The show included special events and culinary competitions, workshops and other educational sessions. Numerous top chefs were on hand to demonstrate their special techniques, including Chef Stephen Elliot from Puff & Pao

BRONX, NY -- In an abrupt and somewhat dramatic fashion, the local industry's heavyweight battle for a sprawling vacant warehouse here has been postponed nine days. The lawsuit was brought by the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association, Inc., here, against New York City's Economic Development Corp., the New York City Business Integrity Commission and one of the market's major customers, Baldor Specialty Foods Inc., also based in the Bronx. By 1:55 p.m. on March 13, the contenders were prepared for a legal slugfest in the Bronx courtroom of New York State Supreme Court Judge Yvonne

The Oppenheimer Group's Southern Hemisphere pipfruit bill of fare experienced a boost in early March with the arrival of Chilean-grown Asian pears to Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Jerry Kraft, West Coast pipfruit category coordinator for Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer, recently returned from the orchards of Chile where he got a first-hand look at the season's Asian pears. "It's a clean crop," he said. "Sizing is a bit smaller this year with our fruit peaking at 14-18 count. We expect Oppenheimer's Chilean Asian pear volume to double over 2005 and for the quality to be very good. We have our

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Sun World International LLC has announced several structural changes to the company to accommodate aggressive plans for business development and growth. Dirk Winkelmann has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president of global business development, with responsibility for international sourcing activities and to expand the importing program to more adequately meet the needs of Sun World's customers. Mr. Winkelmann comes to Sun World after having spent the past 11 years as vice president of global business development and procurement with Vanguard

When the United convention convenes in Chicago about six weeks from now, it will represent the third year of its three-year commitment to hold its annual event along with four other trade associations in one giant gathering under one roof. But the event has proven so successful that United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association has already renewed its commitment to the idea for the foreseeable future. "Our board of directors feels very strong about the show," United President Tom Stenzel told The Produce News Monday, March 6. As such, United has renewed its commitment to hold its annual