Market Fresh Produce, based in Nixa, MO, announced STACY HOLTHAUS as its new category manager on Aug. 2.

“I’m excited to have a person with Stacy’s background to help in taking our tomato category to the next level,” Market Fresh’s Director of Procurement Tyler Phipps said in a company press release.

There is no question that consumers are increasingly seeking out ripe pears in the produce department. And Yakima, WA-based Rainier Fruit Co. is expanding its ripening program to meet this demand.

“Ripe pear sales have seen an upward trend the last few years,” Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter told The Produce News. “We continue to experience growing demand for our ripe pears and strongly believe there is tremendous growth potential for ripened D’Anjou pears.”

Klamath Basin Fresh Organics will introduce 15 new packaging options for its organic potatoes this season. “We chose our new packaging with the consumer in mind,” Director of Marketing Hollis Baley told The Produce News. “We chose materials that would ensure maximum storage efficiency, picked convenient sizes to cater to a variety of household sizes, and included educational information. Our new paper packaging has some unique features. It protects potatoes from greening.

SPARTA, MI — This season may very likely yield Michigan's largest fresh market apple crop ever.

Mother Nature is giving back after vicious freezes in the spring of 2012 devastated apple buds throughout Michigan. The 2012 crop was Michigan's smallest since 1944, according to several growers.

J&J Produce, based in Loxahatchee, FL, will unveil a new corporate image and logo this fall. The move comes after 30 years under the current moniker and look, and is part of the company's push toward future growth.

New agricultural water standards is a top item of concern for United Fresh Produce Association leaders, and the industry has until Nov. 15 to comment on the sweeping new food safety rules, David Gombas, senior vice president for food safety and technology at United Fresh, said during an Aug. 13 webinar.

Expect the new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act rules to be explored at the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 annual Washington Public Policy Conference, where United Fresh gathers top government leaders each year to discuss issues with the industry.