Summeripe Worldwide Inc. in Dinuba, CA, and Nickelodeon have completed a new multi-year licensing agreement to bring Nickelodeon's most popular characters, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, to grocers nationwide on kid-friendly packages of farm-fresh peaches, plums and nectarines.

"Yes, master, it's true."

Barbara Eden and Dawn Wells will grant the wish of fans everywhere when they meet attendees and pose for pictures at the Idaho Potato Commission booth (No. 4705) at this year's PMA Fresh Summit in San Diego.

Paint it Pink, the fundraising team from Faye Clack Communications Inc., a niche agency that specializes in strategic communications for the food industry, recently announced its successful completion of the 60-kilometer walk in the Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital.

This fall, Nickelodeon is partnering with Produce for Kids, an organization that seeks to educate kids on the benefits of healthy eating, to promote healthier lifestyles. The campaign, which runs through Nov. 5, will use promotional programs in produce departments around the country featuring Dora the Explorer and messaging surrounding the network's health and wellness campaign "Let's Just Play."

Through the Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways program, the Produce Marketing Association will sponsor 24 collegiate food, agriculture, and marketing students along with their faculty advisors from six leading schools at the 2006 Fresh Summit in San Diego.

SALINAS, CA -- Lorri Koster said that growing up in the family business will help her step into a high-profile position with Mann Packing Co., based here. The company's board of directors elected Ms. Koster Oct. 5 to the role of co- chairman. She succeeds her father, Don Nucci, who died unexpectedly Sept. 4.

Ms. Koster, 39, credits her father and Bill Ramsey, the late Mr. Nucci's partner of 39 years, for showing by example what leadership requires.

"Dad was a real mentor," Ms. Koster said. "I want to make him proud."