Jesse Port (Jay) Telles III, who once headed one of the larger cantaloupe growing, packing and shipping operations in the United States and later owned and operated a large citrus packing company with his wife, Leslie, died Feb. 11 at his home in Fresno, CA. He was 61.

California Department of Food & Agriculture inspectors were right on one count and wrong on 10 counts when they rejected 11 loads of Mexican Hass avocados crossing into the state on Friday, Feb. 16.

Effective Feb. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows Mexican-grown Hass avocados to enter California under a strict protocol designed to assure that no exotic pests potentially harmful to California's avocado industry would be imported with the fruit.

On March 5, the contentious retail clerks contract signed three years ago between the United Food & Commercial Workers union and the three major Southern California grocery chains expires. As of Feb. 21, there was no word on the status of the current negotiations.

AUSTIN, TX -- Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats Markets have announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Whole Foods Market will acquire Wild Oats Markets' outstanding common stock in a cash tender offer of $18.50 per share, or approximately $565 million based on fully diluted shares.

Whole Foods Market will also assume Wild Oats Markets' existing net debt totaling approximately $106 million as reported Sept. 30, 2006.

The California Tree Fruit Agreement, based in Reedley, CA, announced that Colleen Duhart has been named vice president of marketing, effective Feb. 12.

"Colleen has a diverse background in integrated marketing and brings new experience to the CTFA team," CTFA President Sheri Mierau said in a statement. "We look forward to the continued success of current CTFA marketing programs as well as additional insights and innovations under Colleen's leadership."

A gathering of some 400 growers and interested parties turned out Feb. 6 for the annual Idaho-eastern Oregon growers meeting in Ontario, OR.

Held at the Four River Cultural Center, the daylong event incorporated a trade show with numerous work sessions and panel discussions.