After more than 18 months of research, creative and strategic brand development, Mastronardi Produce is set to unveil its new "Inspired By Flavor" brand creative Oct. 27-28 at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit convention in Anaheim, CA.

"The evolution of our 'Sunset' brand is an exciting time for us as we continue to grow both nationally and internationally," Chris Veillon, director of marketing for Mastronardi, said in a press release.

The Food Marketing Institute and the United Fresh Produce Association announced Oct. 23 that they will co-locate their 2014 conventions June 10-13 in Chicago.

The trade show and education event will bring together the retail and fresh produce industries and highlight the shared interest in providing high-quality, fresh selections to consumers, according to a joint press release issued Oct. 23. The show will offer retail and produce executives unprecedented value in the opportunity to connect with customers and industry counterparts.

Business as usual is a positive thing at Garden Fresh Salad Co.

Patrick Burke, sales and purchasing representative for the firm, located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, told The Produce News that the company handles a full line of vegetables and that fruits represent about 10 percent of its business.

“To drive retail sales, build the avocado category and sustain our strong brand momentum, Avocados from Mexico commits more funds to marketing support than any other avocado organization in the U.S.,” according to a written statement to The Produce News from Eduardo Serena, marketing director of the Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacàn, commonly known by its acronym APEAM.

Sprout growers are likely to feel the effects of Kroger Co.’s decision to discontinue selling fresh sprouts as of Oct. 22 because of potential food-safety risks.

One of the leading U.S. food retailers, Kroger, announced Oct. 19 that it would no longer sell fresh sprouts in its supermarket chains because of the potential for a food-safety problem. Deliveries of sprouts into Kroger distribution centers and stores will be discontinued Oct. 22, the company said.

USA Today reported that Walmart made a similar decision in 2010.

Retail data from the Mushroom Council indicates a strong upward movement in mushroom demand across the U.S. market.

Retail sales of mushrooms over the 13-week summer season grew 3.3 percent over the same period last year. For the four weeks ending Sept. 9, retail pounds grew 3.2 percent and retail dollars grew 2.6 percent, outperforming total produce's dollar growth of 1.9 percent.