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SALINAS SCENE: Classic Salads prepares to launch new web site

Watsonville, CA-based Classic Salads expects to launch a company web site within a few weeks at www.classicsalads.com.

The company also recently added Jill Lenz to its sales team. Ms. Lenz previously was in sales for Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle.


United's leadership program makes stop in Salinas

Gourmet Veg-Paq ramps up operations

Increased consumer demand for organic products has prompted Gilroy, CA-based Gourmet Veg-Paq Inc. to ramp up operations accordingly.

The company is doubling its square footage in El Centro, CA, with the expected November completion of a 40,000-square-foot facility. The company is also building a new facility in Hollister, CA, near Gilroy. The company plans to move into the Hollister location when it returns from El Centro.

Healthy gourmet snacks go mass market: Sahale Snacks hit shelves

Sahale Snacks, a Seattle-based producer of all natural, gourmet snack products, is taking a major step forward in realizing its goal of helping American consumers snack better.

The company has announced that its innovative line of nut blends will be sold at more than 140 SuperTarget stores in the United States. Sahale Snacks' new distribution channel reflects the growing trend of consumers demanding natural, healthy gourmet snack alternatives.

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE: Gulfport banana facilities out of touch

With a stroke of luck, Turbana Corp. in Coral Gables, FL, in recent months moved its Gulf Coast banana-receiving port from Gulfport, MS, to Freeport, TX.

According to national news reports, Gulfport took the worst hit from Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29. Meanwhile, in Freeport, "We didn't have problems with the hurricane, business wise," said Juan Alarcon, Turbana's chief executive officer.

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE: 'Our biggest concern right now is the people,' said Doles Marta Maitles

"I'm really concerned about some people down there. Our biggest concern right now is the people who live down there," Dole's Marta Maitles said in the early afternoon of Aug. 30.

Ms. Maitles, who is director of communications for Dole Fresh Fruit Co. in Westlake Village, CA, was speaking of Gulfport, MS, which took the brunt of the force of Hurricane Katrina and where Dole maintains a large facility to receive fruit imported from Latin America. National news reports at the time indicated that there were at least 55 deaths in Mississippi in the hurricane's wake.

Director of marketing leaves Splendid

Stephen Kaczor announced Aug. 18 that he has left his position as director of marketing for Burlingame, CA-based Splendid Products, a shipper of citrus and a distributor of tropical fruit such as mangos and limes.

The company handles a variety of fruits and vegetables.

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