NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the passing of Robert L. Bull, an influential force during the association's early years. Mr. Bull died Feb. 26 in Temple, ME.

A professor of marketing at the University of Delaware, Mr. Bull was the land grant university system's representative to the board of directors of the Produce Prepackaging Association, a predecessor to PMA, in the late 1950s.

Jim Nolan, who was the "fresh" face for Ocean Spray Cranberries for more than 20 years, died Sunday, March 2, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61.

At the time of his death, Mr. Nolan was vice president of The Nolan Network, a sales agency and marketing firm founded by his wife, Theresa Nolan.

Even though the chill of winter is still in our midst, it shouldn't prevent us from looking ahead to the spring and summer selling opportunities. Let's break away from the doom and gloom of a teetering economy and take a positive approach to devise ways to generate some massive produce sales in the coming months.

Bob Wilkins, chief executive officer of GPOD of Idaho, has called it a day after some 35 years with the company. Mr. Wilkins left his daily duties at the end of 2007, but the partner in the fresh-pack shipper has a five-year agreement to serve as a consultant.

GPOD of Idaho packs and ships Russet Burbank variety potatoes.

Mr. Wilkins said he plans to spend more time with his wife, DeAnne, and his children and grandchildren, and to spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing.

California's leafy greens industry has made "huge strides" in the past year, and the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement's first status report bears that out, according to LGMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Horsfall.

The agreement's first status report comes just seven months since government inspectors began conducting mandatory food-safety audits for LGMA members. The report details all audit findings from July through December 2007 as well as other actions undertaken since this unprecedented food-safety program was established.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proposed a state budget that would cut spending by $500 million, reduce the workforce by about 3,000 people and close three departments, including the one that is most visible to the fresh produce industry: the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The governor, who outlined his proposals in a speech to the New Jersey Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 26, also proposed closing the state departments of Commerce and Personnel, as well as cutting expenses for services such as hospitals and colleges.