Patterson, CA-based Traina Foods, a grower, processor and supplier of California and imported sun-dried fruit and tomatoes, announced the hiring of CHUCK PERRY as regional sales manager for the East Coast.

Unseasonably warm winter temperatures — even by Sunshine State standards — could stretch the season for Florida Classic Growers of Dundee, FL, according to Al Finch, vice president of sales and marketing .

Melissa’s World Variety Produce in Los Angeles is feeling a definite increase in organic sales as the economy takes its slow turn upward, Robert Schueller, director of public relations for the company, said.

“We have had considerable sales growth from the previous year, and we see a bright future in the year to come,” he said.

The Colorado State Engineer’s Office continues to work through the rulemaking process to regulate the use of water in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. District Engineer Craig Cotten said the State Engineer’s office is hoping rules will be finalized during 2013. The complex process, which began several years ago, has become all the more earnest as Colorado’s drought conditions continue to worsen.

Ruiz Sales, an Edinburg, TX-based importer and distributor of tropical items from Mexico, is running a special exculsive H.E.B. Super Bowl-themed promotion on limes at H.E.B. locations in Texas during the week leading up the the big game.

For the first time, U.S.-grown pears have officially gained access to the Chinese market.