Following several years of potato and onion inspection and buying duties for a major retail operation in Los Angeles, Steve Long has joined Progressive Marketing Group as its sales manager at Jones Produce in Quincy, WA.

Progressive President Jim Leimkuhler told The Produce News Jan. 4 that Mr. Long's first day in the Quincy office was Jan. 3, and the company head said, "We think by adding Steve and bringing his retail experience, it's a good move for us and the industry."

WASHINGTON -- As the federal government considers taking the program nationwide, congressional staffers packed into a U.S. Capitol room Dec. 6 to hear the experiences of the only two pilot programs that have allowed low-income women and children to use vouchers to purchase fresh produce in neighborhood stores.

Ugli, the exotic tangelo from Jamaica, is predicted to attain "celebrity status" in the nation's produce departments as it reaches new heights through the aid of a new marketing alliance.

WASHINGTON -- Attendees of the upcoming United Produce Show in Chicago will have new opportunities to network this year with the addition of a hospitality center on the trade show floor, a new daily Retail Executive Forum and new space to squeeze in more exhibitors.

While United's Produce Show has evolved by sharing its meeting with retailers at the Food Marketing Institute, the Fancy Foods Show, All Things Organic and the U.S. Food Export Showcase, it has left produce executives with too little time for formal networking throughout the supply chain.

Weight Watchers, a long-trusted authority on promoting healthful eating, has chosen Vidalia onions as its second quarter 2006 Pick of the Season. Weight Watchers started its Pick of the Season program in 2004 to promote the health benefits of fresh produce. Since its inception, the quarterly spotlight on seasonal fruits and vegetables has touted the benefits of carrots, watermelons, bananas and similar fresh "picks."

CHESHIRE, CT -- Bozzuto's Inc. has announced the promotion of Greg Veneziano to director of produce and floral, where his responsibilities will include overseeing the administrative, procurement and merchandising functions of the produce and floral departments for the wholesale grocer based here. He will report directly to Steve Heggelke, senior vice president of merchandising and procurement.