ATLANTA -- An orange is an orange is an orange -- except when it isn't. When it or any other item in fresh produce is more is a determination made by those with their finger on the pulse of consumer tastes. A panel of such pulse feelers convened here Nov. 5 at the Produce Marketing Association's annual convention to discuss successes and challenges in reinventing produce and reinvigorating profits. Sometimes, success lies in repositioning a product, including perhaps a packaging upgrade. Other times, presenting a product in a whole new way is the ticket to a sea change in sales results. Robert

The 2005-06 PMA board of directors took office on Nov. 4 during the Produce Marketing Association's 2005 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta. Chairman of the Board Janet Erickson, executive vice president, purchasing and quality assurance for Del Taco Inc. in Lake Forest, CA, was joined on the board by three other officers and 21 directors. PMA President Bryan Silbermann said, "We are delighted to welcome PMA's first female chairman of the board, Janet Erickson of Del Taco, to lead the 2005-06 board of directors. Her insight, dedication and enthusiasm combined with

ATLANTA -- The U.S. market will continue to be a flourishing consumer market because of ongoing immigration and because baby boomers are having two children per couple, creating an "echo boom," according to Jeffrey Rosensweig, associate dean and director of the global perspectives program at Goizueta Business School at Emory University, here. Asia, notably Japan, and Europe, will slow in population growth because many couples are having one child, he said. Markets in China and India will remain emerging markets. While Australia, Canada and the Netherlands have relatively small populations

ATLANTA -- Cookie Monster, the lovable Sesame Street character who got his name from his propensity to devour cookies in a frenzy after proclaiming "Me love cookies," made a guest appearance at the Sunkist Growers booth during the Produce Marketing Association international convention and exposition, here, Nov. 7. He may never be the same. After some friendly cajoling by Sunkist Growers President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gargiulo, Cookie Monster reluctantly tasted a Sunkist orange and immediately announced his love for citrus. "Cookie eat orange, too," he cried. "They healthy, sweet

The Produce Marketing Association's new chairman of the board, Janet Erickson, announced the creation of the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation during the closing general session of PMA's 2005 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta. The scholarship honors Joe Nucci and his significant contributions to produce innovation in foodservice. Mr. Nucci, who died in July, was the president of Mann Packing Co. in Salinas, CA. He would have become PMA's chairman-elect at the convention. In addition to his role on the PMA board, Mr. Nucci served on the foodservice board of

EXTON, PA -- For his company, POM Wonderful LLC in Los Angeles, the category of fresh pomegranates and bottled pomegranate juices has grown by a factor of 10 in four years, according to Kurt Vetter, vice president of sales. Judging from a display in a Giant supermarket location Oct. 19, here, it's a small wonder that POM Wonderful has caught the nation's attention. The promotion with the Carlisle, PA-based chain, placed just inside the store's front door, featured a dozen bins of fresh pomegranates. The display was flanked by two iced displays of POM juice -- some straight pomegranate juice