Doug McFarland, marketing director for Colorful Harvest LLC, headquartered in Salinas, CA, said that the company would be showcasing blueberries, strawberries and rainbow carrots at the Feb. 28-March 2 Southern Exposure Retail & Foodservice Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL.

“We will also be sharing news at the expo about our new Florida cooler with local Plant City management,” said Mr. McFarland. “This is an expanded southern blueberry program that we’ll be kicking off in March 2013.”

Attendees at this year’s Southern Exposure expo will have a chance to find out more about new programs being offered by Eagle Eye Produce. “We will be talking about our Advantage Potato Program as well as our Preferred Onion Program and Nogales Vegetable Program,” Vice President of Sales Lance Poole told The Produce News on Feb. 8. “We will also be talking to customers about our innovative new products such as our new Simply Good Simply Fresh, Flavorful Diced Potatoes.”

Eagle Eye is headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, and is a premier grower and shipper of Idaho potatoes.

Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, said that the company’s green papayas are the main ingredient in a mainstay dish for Asian cultures, particularly Thai and Vietnamese.

“These are papayas that are and remain immature,” said Ms. Ostlund. “Often referred to as cooking papayas, they are eaten raw, such as sliced thin in papaya salads. This fruit’s popularity is increasing not only with the Southeastern U.S. population but with the popularity of restaurants focusing on these cuisines.”

Attendees at this year’s Southern Exposure expo will have an opportunity to find out why 2013 represents such a sweet year for Curry & Co. “First of all, is our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News Feb. 11. “We’ll have samples at the show, and people can try these delicious carrots first hand. Our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program will run from late February/early March until about mid-summer. We are expecting our largest crop to date, and the quality has been excellent.”

What is sweeter than a Vidalia onion? How about Vidalias in the summertime? That is the theme of this year’s Vidalia Onion Committee marketing campaign, which will partner up with several other well-known brands to help drive sales and provide consumers with the ultimate outdoor summer dining experience.

The committee, based in Vidalia, GA, has partnered with Johnsonville Sausage, the National Mango Board, Avocados from Mexico, Stemilt Cherries, Gourmet Garden Spice and the National Watermelon Promotion Board for the Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer promotional program.

Chris Mastronardi, owner and president of Double Diamond Acres, a leading greenhouse producer in Leamington, ON, told The Produce News that the company’s new high-tech greenhouse facility in Leamington — in a separate location from the company’s existing operation — is now up and running.