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"UglyRipe" tomato petition denied

The Florida Tomato Committee once again denied a petition that would have allowed interstate shipments of heirloom tomatoes that failed to meet the minimum quality standards established for Florida tomatoes.

Growers Express reorganizes sales department

SALINAS, CA " To better facilitate fulfilling customers? needs, Growers Express has reorganized its sales organization into two departments: Sales & Marketing and Product Management.

Getting out the crystal ball: A glimpse into the future of floral

It's that time of the year when the fortune tellers of floriculture are asked to give their predictions for our industry's future. Surely, many of them must be scratching their heads about what to write about. Of course, accuracy is not normally a problem. Does anyone else save articles predicting what we will be like in five years?

In fairness, with the dynamic and rapid economic changes happening, it's difficult to predict what floriculture will be like in one year, let alone five or 10 years.

President Bush approves specialty crops bill

WASHINGTON - Right before the holidays, the produce industry got some good news from Washington.

President Bush signed the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act Dec. 21, funneling precious new money into programs that promote fruits and vegetables. Three years in the making, the new law authorizes $54 million annually for five years in grants that are designed to enhance the competitiveness of each state?s fresh produce crops.

Frank Basile, long-time employee at Monterey Mushrooms, was 55

Frank Basile, a well-known and well-respected produce industry veteran, died of liver cancer on Dec. 15 at his home in Gilroy, CA. He was 55.

Mr. Basile was senior sales manager for the Western region at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville, CA, for more than 22 years. As a sales manager in the produce industry, customer relationships are paramount, and Mr. Basile enjoyed the utmost respect of his many customers, according to Monterey Mushrooms.

L&M taps experienced veteran for position in Northeast

L&M Cos., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, announced that it has hired Arthur O?Leary as marketing manager for its Northeast operations.

Mr. O'Leary will use his 25 years of experience with various industry associations to help build and enhance all the company?s produce segments in the New England and New York regions. In addition, he will be involved in advertisement planning, business programs and product development.

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