VIENNA, VA -- April 1 holdings of fresh apples were 48.2 million bushels, down from 62 million reported March 1, according to a report issue April 10 by the U.S. Apple Association, based here.

The fresh market holdings reflect a 33 percent increase over March 2008 holdings and 25 percent more than the five-year average.

Processing apple holdings of 21.4 million bushels were 6 percent below year earlier levels and 6 percent below the five-year average for the April 1 reporting period.

SALINAS, CA -- D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California and The Salad Farm, both based here, have entered into an agreement that has The Salad Farm shipping product through the new D'Arrigo Bros. facility here.

For D'Arrigo Bros., the agreement primarily allows the company to expand its product line and offer products it was not already carrying -- such as spinach, spring mix and arugula -- to its customers. The primary benefit to The Salad Farm is that its product line is exposed to a broader customer base. The partnership launched April 1.

FRESNO, CA -- Crown Jewels Marketing LLC, here, will be marketing about 2.5 million cartons of cantaloupes and honeydews this summer from Perez Packing Inc. in Firebaugh, CA, a deal formerly sold by Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. in Coral Gables, FL.

The Perez family has been farming on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley, west of Fresno, for the last 70 years or so, said Atomic Torosian, a managing partner at Crown Jewels.

Naples, FL-based Naturipe Farms LLC said that the downturn in the economy will result in the company delaying plans to branch out beyond its non-core business.

As a result of its plan to continue to focus on its berry programs, Naturipe laid off several employees including Michael McCartney, its vice president of operations.

SACRAMENTO, CA -- The California Department of Food & Agriculture and the University of California at Davis-based Center for Produce Safety have signed a no-cost agreement to enhance the department's food safety grants process and leverage additional funding.

WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the appointment of Ray Gilmer as vice president of communications, where he will bring more than 20 years of combined experience in agricultural issues management, public relations and crisis management to United's senior management team.