A recent consumer shopper insight study conducted by the Hass Avocado Board, reported that product display, quality/ripeness and price are three key purchase motivators.

Food Lion announced its continued support of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament by sponsoring several events that have become favorites to CIAA fans. These events include the women’s tournament, Miss CIAA and “Food Lion Day at the CIAA” on Friday, Feb. 28. All events will be held Feb. 24 through March 1 in Charlotte, NC.

Despite the highly publicized winter weather extremes that occurred in Georgia this year, Curry & Co. is off to a good start with its Vidalia sweet carrot season. Growing conditions have been good for carrots and the 2014 season is expected to run from late February into June.

The National Mango Board will be hosting its second annual Mango Food Safety Conference Thursday, March 6 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Attendance to this annual conference is complimentary, and industry members of all levels of the mango supply chain are encouraged to join.

NOGALES, AZ — To illustrate the importance of Nogales as a port of entry for Mexican produce into the United States, Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, pointed to numbers.

The most remarkable of these numbers may be Jungmeyer’s own prediction for the growth of produce arriving into the United States: “Six to ten percent annual growth forever.”

This will be driven by Mexico’s extension of growing seasons and an increasing variety of produce being produced in the country.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council held its semi-annual Northern California luncheon meeting at the Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, CA. The event featured well-known Northern California sportscaster Joe Starkey who was the voice of the San Francisco 49ers for many years and also broadcasts games for the Cal Bears. Chris Vasconcellos of Lucky Stores/Save Mart served as the master of ceremonies.