Gourmet’s Finest, which has a strong reputation working with customers in the foodservice sector, is making its entrée into the retail market and plans to roll out new, unique mushroom packaging in September.

“We are now entering into the retail sector with a totally unique package and mushroom type,” Vice President of Marketing David Ranscht told The Produce News.

PLEASANTON, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council held a membership luncheon meeting Sept. 25, here, featuring California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross as the keynote speaker.

POM Wonderful, a leading premium refrigerated juice company and purveyor of pomegranates, is powering up the produce aisle with new Antioxidant Super Teas. The new line includes Pomegranate Lemonade Tea, Pomegranate Sweet Tea and Pomegranate Honey Green Tea.

If conditions remain as expected, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. believes the 2014 global industry cranberry crop will be between 11.2-11.6 million barrels, down from the 2013 global industry record crop of 12 million barrels. The company expects its grower-owners to deliver 6.6-7 million barrels, which is down from the 7.2 million barrels delivered in 2013.

C&S Wholesale Grocers has appointed Christopher Brown as senior vice president of independent sales, effective Sept. 29. According to the company, this appointment underscores C&S’s commitment to its independent customers and reflects its plans to continue to grow its independent business.

YOUNG HARRIS, GA — The Southeast Produce Council opened its annual fall conference Thursday evening, Sept. 25, at the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, here, with its traditional get-acquainted opening party. This year's opening party was dubbed the Get Acquainted Hoedown at Brasstown, in keeping with the theme of this year's event: the Hoedown Touchdown Throwdown in Brasstown.