During the 44 years that Louis Hymel has been in the garlic industry and has been working at Spice World Inc. in Orlando, FL, he has seen many trends and changes in the industry. Among them is a trend toward “new convenient ways consumers get to use garlic,” he said.

When the California mature green tomato deal got started in mid- to late June, it was plagued by an oversupply situation, according to tomato veteran Joe Bernardi, but he said it did strengthen in July and he expects a fairly good market from mid-August on.

In late July, he said, “he good news is we are getting good distribution to all parts of the country.”

SAN ANTONIO, TX — More than 400 people packed the Westin La Canterra Resort Aug. 7-9, here, for the 2013 Texas Produce Convention, co-hosted by the Texas International Produce Association, Texas Citrus Mutual and the Texas Vegetable Association.

The Hass Avocado Board announced a new, multi-year, science-based, food and wellness education program: Love One Today.

This program encourages Americans to include fresh Hass avocados in everyday healthy eating plans to help increase fruit and vegetable intake and as a delicious, cholesterol-free, whole food source of naturally good fats.

LIVERMORE, CA — On Friday night, Aug. 9, about 80 Northern California produce professionals doubling as bocce ball amateurs got together here at the third annual Fresh Produce & Floral Council Bocce Ball Get Together.

Sun World International, a grower, marketer and breeder of premium produce varieties with a full line of seedless grapes, sweet peppers, stone fruits and other fruits and vegetables, based in Bakersfield, CA, has been acquired by a California-based asset management firm with a focus on agriculture and other sustainable resources.

Renewable Resources Group Inc. purchased Sun World International LLC from Black Diamond Capital Management LLC, an alternative asset management firm based in Greenwich, CT.