As demand for New Zealand apples grows, product shipped from that country by leading pipfruit exporter ENZA is finding good reception through retail partners of BC-based The Oppenheimer Group.

Among the favored varieties is the Jazz, a relative newcomer that is being promoted in an innovative campaign that is looking to link up with jazz festivals across the United States and Canada.

Irwindale, CA-based Ready Pac Produce Inc. has further consolidated its processing operations by announcing May 13 the closure of its processing facilities in Boisbriand, Canada, Salinas, CA, and Yuma, AZ.

The company is planning to cease production at Boisbriand in late summer of this year. The Salinas and Yuma plants have been seasonal operations with Salinas in production for spring and summer crops and Yuma for the winter crop. Operations in Salinas will close at the end of 2005. Yuma operations already ended with this past winter's crop.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on May 17 appointed 18 members to serve on the newly established National Mango Board.

Appointed to fill the U.S. producer positions are Vernancio C. Marti of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a four-year term of office; and Ingrid Rivas of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for a three-year term. Appointed to fill the first handler position was Anthony R. Godinez of McAllen, TX, for a four-year term.

LANGHORNE, PA -- Redner's Warehouse Markets, here, is in a test program to see if organic produce sales increase if they are merchandised in a separate section in the produce department.

In cooperation with Earthbound Farm in San Juan Bautista, CA, Redner's set up a large organic display in its store in Langhorne, an upscale town north of Philadelphia on the Delaware River.

Gary O'Brien, who heads the produce merchandising program for Redner's, said of the new display, "A lot of stores integrate [organics] like commodities. Here we create a destination point."

MONTEREY, CA -- The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California marked its 75th year in business May 12 with its annual meeting, where John Baillie was named board chairman.

Mr. Baillie of Baillie Family Farms/Tri-Counties Packing replaced the association's outgoing chairman, Kurt Gollnick of Scheid Vineyards. Mr. Baillie will be the association's chairman until 2007, when Kay Filice of Filice Farms will become the first chairwoman in the organization's history.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 80th annual convention and trade show in Toronto had all the usual accoutrements: educational workshops, engaging speakers, exciting presentations of awards, field tours, fun-filled social events, a dynamic exposition.

One item, however, was missing: snow.

Also sub-freezing temperatures, packing thermal clothing and de-icing of planes.

After years and years of meeting in the dead of winter, CPMA decided to shift the timing of its wonderful annual event to springtime. And I for one am really glad.