BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Sun World International LLC, one of California's largest vertically integrated agricultural corporations, announced July 1 the appointment of Bruce C. Burton as chief executive officer, effective July 18.

REEDLEY, CA -- Ballantine Produce Co. Inc., here, has introduced what it believes to be the industry's first color maturity guide for green seedless table grapes.

The company has put together a kit entitled The Fine Art of Grapes: The Original Green Seedless Table Grape Guide that includes descriptions and photos of green grapes at six different stages of maturity. The kit consists of a large wall poster, a desk reference booklet and a set of laminated color discs for use in the field, warehouse or store -- each depicting the six stages.

Morari Specialties Inc., which introduced baby cucumbers to the United States last year, is poised to launch another specialty produce item for consumers: baby eggplants. These new specialty items, grown and imported exclusively by Morari, will be available year-round in select retail stores at the end of July.

"I ate his liver with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti," said Dr. Hannibal Lechter in the movie thriller "Silence of the Lambs. Bizarre as his gastronomic choices may have been, Dr. Lechter at least knew his beans.

WENATCHEE, WA -- In a June 23 ceremony surrounded by family, friends, employees and colleagues, Tom Mathison, founder of apple packer-shipper Stemilt Growers Inc., here, announced that he will step down from the company presidency and hand the leadership reigns to his grandson, West Mathison.

West Mathison has served as Stemilt's executive vice president since 2003. He is the son of Jan and Kyle Mathison. Kyle is Tom Mathison's youngest son.

Chiquita Brands International Inc., based in Cincinnati, announced June 28 that it has completed its acquisition of the Fresh Express unit of Richmond, VA-based Performance Food Group. The purchase price was $855 million.

The deal, which was first announced in February, was supposed to close in April. But citing legal matters involving the conduct of some of its employees, Chiquita announced April 25 that the acquisition would be delayed for up to two months.