Two British Columbia companies have joined forces to make top-quality greenhouse organics a North American mainstay.

Through an exclusive marketing agreement, the Vancouver-based Oppenheimer Group recently solidified a long-term partnership with Origin Organic Farms of Delta, a top organic greenhouse vegetable grower in North America. The agreement centers on efficiently supplying the market with a broad range of "OriginO" branded produce into the next decade.

Washington and Oregon have been officially added to the list of states showing evidence of Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious and unexplained ailment which is killing honeybee populations in the United States.

On Feb. 28, only hours after Washington was added to the list, Jerry Tate, Washington State Beekeeper Association's director, told The Produce News that three Washington beekeepers took substantial losses. While a loss of 20 percent is considered average for beekeepers, Mr. Tate said that two of the three beekeepers lost approximately 50 percent of their honeybees.

Deardorff Family Farms in Oxnard, CA, announced that it is shipping celery in the first-of-its-kind recyclable box. The box along with company's slogan, "Sustainable Farming for a Healthier Life," signifies its efforts to achieve sustainability.

Imagination Farms in Indianapolis has expanded its distribution by adding William H. Kopke Jr. Inc. in Lake Success, NY, to its list of "Disney Garden" brand premium suppliers.

Brandt Farms Inc. in Reedley, CA, and Delicious Foods LLC in Fresno, CA, have announced the formation of a new joint venture company, Brand-DF LLC, that will market and sell California stone fruit under the "Sunsweet Fresh" brand.

The "Sunsweet" brand is owned by Sunsweet Growers Inc., a grower cooperative headquartered in Yuba City, CA. Delicious Foods uses the "Sunsweet Fresh" brand for fresh products under a licensing agreement with Sunsweet Growers, according to Mike Pereira, managing director of Delicious Foods.

CARTERET, NJ -- Pathmark Stores Inc. announced Feb. 27 that it is engaged in negotiations to be acquired by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc. at a possible price of $12.50 per Pathmark share to be paid in cash and A&P stock.

No final agreement has been reached and there can be no assurance that any such agreement will be reached. If a final agreement is reached, it will be subject to a number of uncertainties and conditions. Among such conditions would be shareholder and regulatory approvals, including federal and state antitrust clearances.