With twice as many Romas as last year in the plans, as well as new acreage planted in grower Harry Singh Jr.'s signature vine-ripe seed, West Coast Tomato Growers and The Oppenheimer Group are entering the third year of their marketing partnership with optimism.

Coming off the success of its current Bistro Salad Bowl line, Ready Pac Foods Inc. is taking the fresh single-serve segment to the next level with even more produce-based, pantry load, complete meal solutions.

Weis Markets announced David W. Gose has joined the company as senior vice president of operations.

In his new position, Gose will oversee the day-to-day operation and management of the company’s stores. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Kurt Schertle.

Top-performing cherry retailers utilize significantly different sales and merchandising approaches than low-performing retailers, according to a new analysis released by Columbia Marketing International. The report identifies key differences between top and bottom performing retailers in U.S.

Now and then, I notice some shoppers enter produce departments, look around, pick up an item, place it back on the display, and leave without buying anything. Why is that? I don’t think those customers came into the store just to browse. The supermarket isn’t a gift shop. People browse in gift shops but buy food in supermarkets.

“The market is slow to come to California,” but all signs indicate customers “will be buying here” shortly, Dennis Johnston, a partner in Johnston Farms in Edison, CA, said May 13 as the shipping season for California red, yellow and white new potatoes got under way.

The russet harvest in California had not yet started.