Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego and Sundance Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, have announced a merger of their strawberry operations.

The merger was made "with an eye on expanding year-round availability of strawberries to better serve retailers and foodservice operators," according to an Oct. 18 press release from A&W.

Sundance, which was founded in 2003, operates berry farms in three California growing districts: Oxnard, Santa Maria and Watsonville.

Spreckels, CA-based Tanimura & Antle Partnership has sold all of its interest in Dulcinea Farms LLC in Ladera Ranch, CA, to Syngenta Seeds.

In 2003, T&A partnered with Switzerland-based Syngenta to form Dulcinea Farms to market "Dulcinea!" brand produce items in North America. Those items include Pure Heart watermelons and Tuscan-style sweet cantaloupes  proprietary products of Syngenta  and other fresh produce items developed by Syngenta and licensed to Dulcinea.

NEWARK, DE -- Because of the logistical uncertainties in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the executive committee of the Produce Marketing Association has voted to move the site of the organization's 2007 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition from New Orleans to Houston for the Oct. 12-15 event.

The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, based in Smithfield, NC, is combating the U.S. trend to eat sweet potatoes only on Thanksgiving and other holidays through a promotional campaign targeting numerous markets.

The commission is an independent, member-based nonprofit commodity group. Its membership, now over 400 strong, is comprised of growers who farm a minimum of one acre of sweet potatoes in the state.

Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, WA, rolled out a health-conscious program earlier this fall with a red-apple mascot at the helm touting the antioxidant richness in apples.

Roger Pepperl, Stemilt marketing director, said that 5 A Day's character, Raoul, whose winning smile and bright-red color appeals to both kids and adults, is the cheerleader for Stemilt apples Core of Healthy Living campaign. Stemilt selected the character to be the icon for its fall program from a cast of five Color Way Champions created by 5 A Day and the Produce for Better Health Foundation.

More space, more coolers, faster loading and secure grounds are just some of the reasons organic grower-shipper Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo has a new address in Vernon, CA.

The company relocated its Los Angeles warehouse, packing and distribution operation Sept. 1, taking over more than half of a facility which formerly served as a Whole Foods distribution center.

"The move to this well-outfitted, more modern facility will definitely increase our efficiency overall and allow us to better serve our customers," said Rob Jacobs, vice president of sales and marketing.