WASHINTON -- U.S. Foodservice asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help develop a new testing service for processed produce, and now USDA is offering the new program to other buyers.

Chicago-based U.S. Foodservice is the first company to sign a yearlong agreement with USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service to provide the new quality monitoring program service at several of its distribution centers.

If you're in the Fort Lauderdale area of Florida with your loved one Feb. 14, don't miss dining at Sunfish Grill. Besides wonderful appetizer and entr?e offerings, it is acclaimed for its dessert menu created especially with "love" in mind.

Husband-and-wife team Tony and Erika Sindaco will celebrate Sunfish Grill's 10th anniversary this April. It gained international recognition for its fine cuisine many years ago.

Bonnie Fernandez has been selected as the new executive director of the Center for Produce Safety at the University of California-Davis.

Ms. Fernandez, who currently serves as the executive director of the California Wheat Commission, will assume the new position March 1.

A group of California agriculturists led by the state's secretary of agriculture, A.G. Kawamura, traveled to Cuba in January, and the produce representatives returned believing that there is opportunity to do some business.

Mr. Kawamura's group represented a wide range of commodities, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, raisins, cheese, rice and cotton. He told The Produce News that "California was following the lead of 18 other states in attempting to establish a trading relationship with Cuba."

Consumer interest in fresh organic produce has proven to be a significant driving force for Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers.

The family-owned company, which began in 1955 as a door-to-door operation in Golden, CO, opened its 26th store Jan. 15 in Colorado Springs, CO. This latest addition expands the company's regional visibility in Colorado and New Mexico.

"It's a very well-prepared store," said Vice President of Marketing Nancy Flynn. "It was a very productive opening. People have been asking for more produce."

The 2008 Mexican tomato season is shaping up to be one of the better ones in several years, with reliable supplies and steady markets expected, according to industry sources.

"The season started light, but now we are moving into some great crops," said Javier (J.J.) Badillo, director of diversified products for Calavo Inc., who oversees Calavo's Mexican tomato program from the company's Nogales, AZ, office.

He told The Produce News Jan. 30 that he expects to see "high quality and consistent supplies" throughout the balance of the season.