The Houston Food Bank, a private non-profit organization that fights hunger by providing food and other essentials to 400 hunger-relief programs in 18 southeast Texas counties, announced the hiring of Brian Greene as president and chief executive officer.

Mike Taylor was appointed to the newly created position of director of grower relations and supply development for Global Berry Farms, headquartered in Naples, FL. He will be working from the Salinas, CA, office.

The position was created as part of the company's commitment to growth and to provide support to its growers to meet the rapidly increasing demand for Naturipe products.

SALINAS, CA -- For the first time in California's trade promotion history, four trade promotion and three economic development organizations are collaborating to deliver their services through a single point of access. Area companies -- including agriculture companies -- will access the most comprehensive set of services to assist, guide and help them enter international markets.

Congregants at this year's 30th annual conference of American Agri-Women, held the weekend of Nov. 12 in Monterey, CA, heard much about changing trends in food at retail and in foodservice.

Roberta Cook, marketing economist with the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics with the University of California at Davis, touched on numerous trends in a power- point presentation, which relied heavily on data from Food Marketing Institute as well as other sources.

The following are highlights from her talk:

For the second time in six weeks, Taiwan's Bureau of Animal & Plant Health Inspection & Quarantine has detected a codling moth larva in apples shipped from Washington state.

While all U.S. growers and shippers other than those involved with the detection remain eligible for export to Taiwan, the so-called "second strike" moves the industry closer to a possible closure of the Asian market, which could occur should a third detection be made.

The Ontario Produce Marketing Association held its annual gala dinner and awards ceremony Nov. 12 at the DoubleTree International Plaza Hotel in Toronto.

Almost 400 people attended the event and were treated to an evening of fun, food and excitement, as well as industry tributes during the group's 10th annual awards ceremony.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement award to Gerard (Whitey) Van Alebeek of Bradford & District Produce Ltd. Steve Stewart, a long time associate of Mr. Van Alebeek, presented the award.