Eric Schwartz has joined Monterey, CA-based SK Foods as vice president of corporate strategic planning for the international tomato and vegetable processing firm.

In addition, Mr. Schwartz will oversee the business operations of Salyer American Fresh Foods and SK Frozen Foods. SK Foods is an international processor of tomato and vegetable products -- organic and conventional -- for re-manufacturers and foodservice marketers.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer believes that Congress will pass a "bloated" and "pork-barrel"-laden farm bill that will be vetoed by President Bush, with that veto overridden by Congress, whose members want that bill to pass for the purpose of touting it during upcoming re-election campaigns.

After several decades of working in the food and wine industry, Frank McCarthy has decided to retire in July at age 65.

Mr. McCarthy will walk away from his role as vice president of marketing for Albert's Organics at its Dayville, CT, location, a role he has held for the past four-and-a-half years. He is also director of brand positioning for United Natural Foods Inc., which owns Bridgeport, NJ-based Albert's Organics Inc.

Martin Streef loved nature.

About five years ago, Mr. Streef, an avid hunter and fisherman, was diagnosed with terminal adrenal cancer, and soon after, he put several thousand rainbow trout in a deep-water pond at one of Streef Produce Ltd.'s farms, which he operated with his four brothers, Peter, John, Albert and Jacob, and where he served as president.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- With commercial production slated to kick off in late 2008 and first shipments leaving Mexican hothouses in January 2009, the driving forces behind the "Intense Tomato" are betting on solid reception on multiple market levels.

Additionally, new varieties of colored carrots are making their way into produce departments. Both crops are from seed developed by Nunhems and are part of the program at the global company's Parma, ID, facility.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- One might expect Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, to speak enthusiastically about his association's just-concluded convention and exposition, held here May 4-7. And he did. But so did many others.

"This was a great convention for us," said Frank Maconachy, president of Ramsay Highlander in Salinas, CA.