"MamaMia Produce has a new state-of-the-art bagging machine, and retailers are liking it a lot," Joe Sferrazza, sales manager for the East Rutherford, NJ-based company, told The Produce News Dec. 11. "We have had it running for about two weeks, and we could not be more pleased with how it has already increased our efficiencies and volumes."

The bagging machine, he added, took the company about a year to find because they wanted it to specifically match its product line of avocados and citrus. And it is in keeping with the growing consumer demand for bagged items.

If there were a horoscope specifically for the produce industry, the stars would be in perfect alignment this year for Ecoripe Tropicals.

The Medley, FL-based company enjoyed a highly successful PMA Fresh Summit, where it showcased its new one-pound clamshell of “Lafinita” brand rambutan, in addition to sampling the product to visitors. The product is packed fresh from Global Good Agricultural Practices-certified orchards, and is marketed under the “Lafinita” brand.

According to a 2011 report from the Produce Marketing Association, 4 percent of U.S. fruit imports each year come from Peru.

In the report, which was written about in PeruthisWeek.com on Sept. 29, 2011, Nancy Tucker, PMA’s vice president of global business development, stated that mangos, grapes, bananas, avocados, asparagus and artichokes are the most popular Peruvian produce items purchased by U.S. consumers.

In 2005, Green Tree International Inc. was founded in Visalia, CA, to represent Golden State growers. After further expansion in the West, in 2011, the company recognized the same business model and commitment to quality it has established in California would work well in Texas and a Dallas operation was opened.

Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire recognized Stemilt Growers with a Governor's Award for Leadership in Energy Performance during an awards ceremony held at the state Capitol. Stemilt received the award for greatly reducing its energy use during the past two years, which it accomplished with help from Chelan County Public Utility District.

Over 700 high school students at the Esperanza Academy Charter School in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood now have improved access to fresh fruits and vegetables. To promote healthy eating and good nutrition in school lunches, the access comes via a salad bar donated by the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and the United Fresh Produce Association's United Fresh Foundation.