In 1913, U.S. watermelon growers began holding a series of informal discussions about how to better their position. As that year progressed, so did they. It soon became clear that this loose collection of growers needed a formal organization to represent their interests and in March 1914 the group gathered in Atlanta for the first time as an assembly. They left as what today is the National Watermelon Association, which will kick off its centennial celebration at its annual convention Feb. 20-24 at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, TX.

Eric Viramontes, chief executive officer of the Associación Mexicana de Horticultura Protegida A.C., or Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture, is stepping down from his post as the organization's top executive, a position he has held since 2008. Mr. Viramontes will be replaced by Arturo Diaz.

The Southern California strawberry harvest typically starts around mid-December each year, but just about anyone in the California strawberry industry who has production in the state’s southern districts will tell you that production during the winter months seldom proceeds without some form or another of weather interruption.

Sunrise Fresh Produce LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merchants Foodservice, announced the completion of its acquisition of certain assets from Emerald Coast Finest Produce located in Pensacola, FL. The closing, completed Jan. 18, enables Sunrise Fresh Produce to operate its third produce distribution center as Sunrise Produce Gulf Coast.

With the acquisition, Sunrise Produce Gulf Coast will have a 40,000-square-foot facility. The warehouse is climate controlled and has seven separate temperature zones to ensure the freshness of product for its customers.  

United Fresh has submitted a request to the Office of Management & Budget to extend the comment period on certain provisions in the proposed Produce & Preventive Controls Rules.

Several provisions currently face a comment deadline of Feb. 15. According to United Fresh, the extension is necessary to provide sufficient time for the industry to examine and respond to the complex and substantial changes proposed for the fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, as well as all other food industries in the United States.

Southern Specialties, a leading importer of specialty produce from South America, Central America and Mexico, announced that Andre Escobar has been named general manager of the company's McAllen, TX, division.