Stemilt Growers Inc. in Wenatchee, WA, is in the midst of packing and marketing its largest pear crop ever, including a broader array of pear varieties and promotions adding color to the pear lineup.

Mike Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing for Stemilt, said that the company will sell as many as 1.5 million 44-pound-equivalent boxes of pears, up from 1 million in 2005-06. The larger crop for Stemilt comes at a time when Northwest pear growers are forecasting a smaller crop than was originally predicted in June.

As 2007 approaches, Well Pict is touting new strawberry varieties, growing techniques that are increasing production and new packaging as well as the expansion of its raspberry program.

All Well Pict's strawberries are proprietary varieties, and in the coming year, new strawberry varieties will be shipping from all Well Pict's growing regions throughout California and Baja, providing continued year-round volume availability.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Network of Executive Women, a national organization whose mission is to attract, retain and advance women through education, leadership and business development for the consumer products and retail industry, is expanding into the Philadelphia area.

SALINAS, CA -- Following Rep. Sam Farr's (D-CA) lead on the federal level, area industry officials are seeking more localized money to compensate area growers and shippers who suffered losses from the recent E. coli 0157:H7 episode regarding spinach.

NewStar Fresh Foods, a Salinas, CA-based grower, shipper and processor of fresh produce, announced the launch of a fresh spinach packaged in new eco-friendly, socially responsible EarthFirst PLA packaging film. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, began selling 10-ounce bags of NewStar's spinach packaged in PLA film in September.

Heeren Bros. and J.A. Besteman Co. announced Oct. 9 that they plan to merge, creating one of the larger family-owned produce wholesalers in Michigan.

The asset purchase will create a company with approximately 175 employees, three warehouses, a fleet of 40 trucks and the ability to serve customers throughout Michigan and into northern Ohio and Indiana. The new company will continue to do business under both family names, which enjoy strong brand recognition among their customers.