R Best Produce Inc. in Port Washington, NY, which handles an extensive line of fruits and vegetables, has recently introduced a new line of dried fruits and nuts which it calls “We R Nuts!,” according to Jasmine Hines, director of marketing and advertising.

The company launched the new product line in July.

“‘We R Nuts!’ offers gourmet quality candies, dried fruits, dried vegetables, trail mixes and a wide variety of nuts, all packaged within the R Best Port Washington warehouse,” said Hines in a written statement to The Produce News Sept. 5.

Rains at harvest time in 2012 and 2013 affected the date crop in the Coachella Valley, and although the weather had been good for the start of the 2014 harvest through the first week in September, there was a possibility of rain early the following week, according to Sean Dougherty, vice president of Hadley Date Gardens Inc. in Thermal, CA.

“It could be light rain or heavy,” and if heavy, it would be the third year in a row, Dougherty told The Produce News Sept. 5.

“We are very excited that we have recently been granted the American Heart Association’s Heart Healthy seal,” signifying that “Bard Valley Natural Delights” brand Medjool dates are “a good addition to diets that are low in fat,” said Erin Hanagan, “Natural Delights” marketing manager for Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Association in Yuma, AZ, in an interview with The Produce News Sept. 3.

The association launched the “Bard Valley Natural Delights” label two years ago for use on all of its products, which includes Medjool dates and date rolls.

T.J. Rahll is the third-generation family member to operate Edward G. Rahll & Sons Inc., located at the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD. He told The Produce News that he was proud and happy to say that he graduated from the United Fresh Class 19 of the Produce Industry Leadership Program. The class graduated at the United Fresh expo June 10-13 in Chicago, IL.

The Cold Spring Foodtown in Putnam County, NY, celebrated its grand reopening Sept. 5, featuring an enlarged and completely remodeled store and several new and expanded departments. Some of the enhancements include a new fresh seafood department, an expanded deli and bakery department, a wide variety of organic and natural foods, a new vitamin and supplements department, and an expanded fruit and vegetable department.

The Foodtown of Cold Spring is one of 11 supermarket locations owned and operated by Noah, Daniel and Sydney Katz of PSK Supermarkets.

“We have enjoyed a nice summer,” Tony Vitrano, president of Tony Vitrano Co., located at the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News. “It hasn’t been too hot and we’ve been spared of any major storms, for which we’re thankful.”

Vitrano said that the demand for local produce continues on its gradual increase, and that the quality of it continues to improve over time.