Normally, cherry farmers want to keep the words "frozen" and "cherries" from ever being used in the same sentence. Unless, that is, these two words are being used to encourage consumers to buy and use more cherries.

Taking in-transit temperature recording to another level, a Wisconsin company is offering real-time, 24-hour-a-day temperature monitoring for perishables or any other cargo.

Seald Sweet International had a chance to hire a very good man. And it did.

Mayda Sotomayor, chief executive officer of the Vero Beach, FL-based firm, said that the reputation, character and experience of Steve Tursi were key reasons for hiring the executive away from Bentonville, AR-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., where he was produce merchandising manager of vegetables and value-added products.

With the cherry season just around the corner - and apples and pears not too far behind - Wenatchee, WA-based Columbia Marketing International has introduced the CMI Pocket Pro, a quick-reference tool especially designed for produce managers.

Three different versions of the Pocket Pro are being introduced, Vice President of Marketing Bob Mast told The Produce News. The Pocket Pro, small enough to be worn in a top shirt pocket or rear pants pocket, contains a host of information that helps produce managers be responsive to customer questions.

WASHINGTON -- Tomatoes have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning in New Mexico and Texas, and health officials are feverishly working with the produce industry to narrow the source to a specific farm or region as the summer barbecue season heats up.

Produce businesses also are hoping that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration can identify the source -- whether a particular field or handler -- before the tomato market takes a big hit.

National Onion Labs Inc., based in Collins, GA, announced that Yerington, NV-based Peri & Sons Farms has contracted to participate in the NOL Flavor Certification Program. This is the first year that Peri & Sons Farms will be joining the NOL client list.

David Peri of Peri & Sons Farms said in a press release that he has long felt the need for testing onion crops as a guide for growing the best onion possible.