Mr. Precht, former Perishables Group account manager for the Cameo Apple Marketing Association, moved into a full-time position with CAMA as its new marketing program director in what he termed a "transition" made in late April. Mr. Precht, who works out of the association's Wenatchee, WA, offices, said that the basic change in his role is that he will now answer to the CAMA board of directors directly rather than through the Perishables Group. However, he stressed that the national Perishables Group and its Executive Vice President Steve Lutz will continue to be involved, handling public

"North American retailers can expect to have ad volume of South African clementines in late June, along with a variety of package options," said Tom Cowan, South African citrus manager for DNE World Fruit Sales Inc. in Fort Pierce, FL. "Throughout this summer, retailers can expect new varieties and new packaging to highlight the upcoming South African import season. The core volume of this clementine deal will run from June 27 through Aug. 15 with the late varieties running through the end of September. DNE expects to have an increase of 20 percent over last season's clementine volume. "The

CHICAGO - A panel of consumers raised a few eyebrows with candid opinions about what drives their produce purchasing decisions during a Retail Marketing session held April 30, here, at the United Produce Show. The session was facilitated by the Perishables Group and moderated by Steve Lutz, executive vice president of the organization. The 11 panelists, all from the Chicago area, represented a diverse mix of demographics and purchasing patterns. Seven of the members were female and five of the panelists were single. The ages of the panelists ranged from 28 to 57. All had eaten fresh produce in

The obesity problem in the United States has been grossly overplayed, according to a group of unidentified restaurateurs and food manufacturers. Under the banner of the Center for Consumer Freedom, the group launched a $600,000 advertising blitz over the last couple of weeks attacking the Center for Disease Control & Prevention and its claims that obesity accounted for hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. The group, which is structured as a nonprofit organization, has come under scrutiny from the media and health organizations in the past. According to a number of

In years past, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association held its annual convention and trade show in February. This year, for the first time, the event has been changed to May. The largest show of its kind in Canada, the event will be held May 11-14 in Toronto. The show is revered by attendees for its advanced forum for learning about new produce industry initiatives and product innovations, while still providing informative business sessions and networking opportunities throughout its agenda. Ron Lemaire, CPMAs executive vice president and director of marketing, noted that this year is the

CIUDAD OBREGON, SONORA, MEXICO - Representatives from some of the top U.S. and Canadian produce organizations discussed the challenges they encounter while conducting business in the North American produce trade during a panel discussion held here as part of the recent trade symposium, Agriculture in Sonora, A Business Opportunity. David Smith, chief executive officer of B.C. Hot House in Surrey, BC, which offers greenhouse-grown product to the North American market, likened his organization's situation to what is occurring now in Sonora in that it started as a niche market and grew rapidly,