Crunch Pak and Duda Farm Fresh Foods partnered recently to host a party in Miami for an influential group of food bloggers.

Held May 16 at Epic Hotel’s Marina Café, more than 150 food bloggers attended the party that was decorated in traditional Miami style with a white, gold and lime green (to showcase fresh apples and celery) color scheme.

A line of produce gadgets called Good Cook ProFreshionals, from kitchenware leader Bradshaw International, based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, has been set up on a year-round calendar system to get the appropriate produce tool into supermarkets at the right time — and in front of the right produce bin.

With the aid of portable hanging merchandisers designed to hook directly onto gaylords and bins, Good Cook ProFreshionals aims to get product where and when it is needed most by consumers, while being sensitive to space limitations in the produce department.

LinkFresh, a leading provider of supply chain ERP solutions designed specifically for the fresh food industry, announced the immediate availability of the LinkFresh for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 ERP platform.

The Ministry of Labor & Social Security of Guatemala awarded the “Orden Laboral” to Bandegua, a Del Monte Fresh Produce subsidiary, in honor of its achievements in agricultural development.

The award, instituted in 2003, recognizes companies for their extraordinary contributions to research as well as labor rights and the development of labor relations and/or economic and social conditions of workers in Guatemala.

Bandegua was selected for the 2014 award in recognition for its established and growing role in the banana production and export business.

Village Farms LP, headquartered in Heathrow, FL, is a finalist in two categories for this year's United Fresh New Product Awards competition.

Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Ephrata, PA-based Four Seasons Family of Cos., officially was named the new chairman of the United Fresh Produce Association in April, but he will take the gavel in front of the full membership at the United Fresh convention in Chicago.