This is an interesting food industry. It is amazing to see how it evolves from year to year under so many struggles and challenges. Yet it continues to change dramatically and move forward each time we turn around.

Following the discovery of the same Salmonella Saintpaul strain that was identified in the current Salmonella outbreak in the United States in a Jalape?o pepper and a sample of irrigation water collected on a farm in Mexico, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency established an import alert and hold-and-test sampling plan for Mexican Jalape?o and Serrano peppers entering Canada.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- More than 100 grape growers and marketers from 14 countries around the world converged here July 29-31 for Sun World International's second Table Grape Producer Expo.

The first such event was held five years ago.

Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, is continuing to grow and diversify its global strategy. To that end, produce industry leader Mark Lewis has been appointed its executive vice president, launching an aggressive expansion strategy. He will be in charge of new product development.

A former director and product leader of Chiquita's deciduous division and chief executive officer of Richland Sales Co., Mr. Lewis is credited with developing and growing several highly successful domestic and import programs globally.

LONGUEUIL, QC -- The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will pay tribute to women working in the produce industry at its 61st annual convention Aug. 14-16 at the Fairmount Le Manoir Richelieu in LaMalbaie, QC.

In addition to numerous networking and educational opportunities, convention attendees will be able to partake in many exciting outdoor activities that the venue, about two hours northeast of Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, offers.

After more than eight years in the Northwest fruit industry, Diamond Fruit Co. Vice President of Marketing Neil Galone has announced he is moving back into California citrus as vice president of sales for Booth Ranches in Orange Cove, CA.

Mr. Galone, who has been with Odell, OR-based Diamond since 2005 and who was vice president of sales for the fresh division of Snokist in Yakima, WA, for five years prior to the Diamond move, told The Produce News Aug. 5 that his last day in Odell was to be Aug. 8.