Avocado grower Mevi Avocados’ new packing facility is up and running and already poised for expansion.

Strategically located in Ciudad Guzman in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is now the second-largest source of avocados in the country after Michoacan, the operation’s 35-container-a-week capacity will lift significantly when a second packingline is added in the coming months.

CERRITOS, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council's August luncheon, held Wednesday, Aug. 7, here, resulted in a generous contribution to the City of Hope, the Duarte, CA-based cancer research hospital that is the favored charity of the local produce industry.

The best way to increase sales of Peruvian asparagus at retail is to build large displays and utilize all three colors: green, white and purple. At least that is the view of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association and Priscilla Lleras, its coordinator. “Go big,” she said. “Large vibrant displays of fresh Peruvian asparagus will boost sales at retail level. Direct the consumer’s attention to the vibrant colors of fresh asparagus: green, purple and white.”

Southern Specialties, a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, hosted the 2013 Southeast Produce Council Step Upp leadership class for an educational presentation and tour of the company's facility in Pompano Beach, FL, on Aug. 1.

Maurice Carl Kophamer, a retired Kern County (CA) farmer, died July 14 at his home in Lookout Mountain, GA. He was 91 years old.

Mr. Kophamer began his farming career on leased ground around the Santa Anita Race Track. He was a pioneer in the development of vegetables grown in Kern County.

BENTON HARBOR, MI —Michigan’s vegetable crops are flourishing this summer, according to Oliver Wolfe, a partner with his wife, Judy, in Above All Produce Inc., located on the Benton Harbor Fruit Market, here.

The Wolfes had started shipping Michigan melons and grape tomatoes in mid-July, while Romas kicked off July 26 and round tomatoes began Aug 1. Eggplant and other commodities were set to start in August as well.