As the Texas citrus season is getting under way, TexaSweet Citrus Marketing Inc. has a new mission and program focus.

For the 2013-14 season, TexaSweet has been charged with educating Rio Grande Valley residents about the threat of citrus greening disease and its implications on the future of the Texas citrus crop. The Texas citrus industry contributes approximately $200 million to the region's economy and a significant number of jobs.

To promote usage through the fall and winter months, California Giant Berry Farms is partnering with Concord Foods, launching a winter baking promotion targeting consumers Nov. 1-30. The promotion is focused on keeping consumers buying blueberries as they make the switch to heartier, warmer meals.

Lone Star Citrus Growers in Mission, TX, has made some significant strides in infrastructure coming into its seventh season, with upgrades in the packinghouse and office and its second season of fruit from its own groves coming off in great shape.

“We are looking forward to the PMA [Produce Marketing Association] Fresh Summit in New Orleans in October,” said Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms headquartered in Leamington, Ontario. “Our Booth No. is 655.”

“We are especially excited about the launch at Fresh Summit of our new ‘Hacienda Special Reserve’ heirloom tomatoes,” he continued. “These tomatoes are reminiscent of a case of fine wine because they are truly a great vintage. The Hacienda Special Reserve tomatoes will be on display along with retail ready display box at the event.”

Phoenix-based Co-Sales named ANDREW B. CASHMAN as director of produce, following its announcement of a merger with Cashman-Edwards Inc.

FoodLink, a leader in supply chain and commerce solutions for the fresh food industry, and Locus Traxx Worldwide, a leader in continuous monitoring and real-time reporting that assures the delivery of safe and secure fresh food, announced a strategic partnership to provide a single platform for retailers and their trading partners to track fresh shipments from point-of-origin to point-of-sale.

Locus Traxx Worldwide provides real time in-transit temperature monitoring, security and GPS location alerts to prevent quality issues during the transportation of fresh food.