Charles (Gil) Henry, who has long been associated with innovations allowing for the sale of ripe avocados, died on May 18 after losing a battle with lymphoma.

Mr. Henry is largely responsible for facilitating the huge growth in avocado demand at retail by marketing pre-ripened fruit and urging retailers to carry it.

All farms that grow fresh produce despite the size of the operation or the commodity will have to certify they meet Good Agricultural Practices by September as a condition to sell to Wegmans Food Markets Inc., company representatives who shared the retailer's program for small growers said during a May 29 webinar.

In contrast to last year, weather conditions for the 2013 stone fruit growing season in California's San Joaquin Valley have been generally very good, resulting in white flesh peach and nectarine crops that have a much improved outlook over 2012.

The warm spring in the San Joaquin Valley of California has moved the expected start date of California pears up 11 full days.

The 2012 California Bartlett pear crop started harvest on July 16. This year, Bartletts will begin harvest on July 5, with significant loading by July 9, according to Dave Parker of Rivermaid Trading Co.

Rivermaid is a leading pear producer in California with significant acreage in both the River and Lake districts. This will be the earliest Rivermaid has begun harvest in several years. In 2011, the pear season began as late as July 22.

Avocados From Mexico Inc., the newly formed marketing agency dedicated to the Mexican avocado industry, is allocating $36 million to grow the category and propel the "Avocados From Mexico" brand.

To implement this strategy, Tim O'Connor, chief executive officer of Avocados From Mexico Inc., will appoint Arnold Worldwide as integrated agency of record, and Ketchum as public relations agency of record. Launching nationally beginning in July 2013, the organization's first fully integrated campaign aims to move the avocado from exotic to everyday.

Gary Margolis, owner and president of Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales Inc., headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, told The Produce News that its Arkansas growing partner, Triple M Farms, is a fourth-generation family-owned operation and a partnership between the Meeks and Moffatt families in Milo, AR.