As Certified Greenhouse Farmers expands its network of controlled-environment growers of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other greenhouse vegetables, the trade association is partnering with Grupo PM, which will serve as the organization’s marketing arm to Mexican growers.

Fort Worth, TX-based Fresherized Foods, the makers of “Wholly Guacamole,” announced the additions of JIM BLAIR and KIRK TURNER to its sales team.

As retail sales managers, Mr. Blair and Mr. Turner will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with retail outlets in order to strengthen the market positions of the company’s “Wholly Guacamole” and “Wholly Salsa” brands.

Matt Curry, president of Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, said Walla Walla sweet onions are nothing short of extraordinary. “Walla Walla sweet onions are certainly the best-known sweet onion in the Pacific Northwest,” he told The Produce News. “Growers, retailers and consumers are proud of this regional favorite. Walla Walla sweets are also well-known from the West Coast to Chicago and have niche markets throughout the rest of the country. The unique name and sweet flavor always seem to attract consumers from all corners of the U.S.”

Associated Produce Inc. came on to the fresh produce industry in 2008, and since then, it has grown tremendously fast. The company is located on Casanova Street, just outside of the Hunts Point terminal market in the Bronx, NY.

Dimitri Soyfer, president of the firm, told The Produce News that its strongest focus is on tropical fruits and vegetables, but that it now also carries a full line of conventional produce.

Georgia and north Florida watermelon growers are late to the game due to a cool spring, earlier season delays held back some of the Mexican and Texan crop, and California and Arizona are coming into their own as production ramps up in June. All that means the United States will be awash in watermelon from now through September, setting up ample opportunity for retailers to promote with abandon.

Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council members agree the increasing percentage of produce cases marked with PTI labels is a reassuring sign that momentum for PTI continues, supported by buyers who are preparing to receive labels later this year.

The Leadership Council, representing 32 companies in the produce industry, held its biannual meeting in mid-May in conjunction with the United Fresh 2013 convention in San Diego.