Westerlay Orchids is positioning itself to be ready when the economy recovers with an ambitious expansion program that will make it one of the major players in the orchid industry, according to Toine Overgaag, president.

Mr. Overgaag took the corporate reins at Westerlay when his father retired three years ago. Expansion plans center on acquiring additional facilities nearby that will take the Westerlay holdings up to one million square feet of greenhouse space.

The 2012 Produce Marketing Associaiton Fresh Summit floral offerings will include a special registration package and a networking reception. Other show items that include floral are a new products showcase, a packaging design contest and education workshops covering supply-chain technology, marketing and sales, innovation, leadership and global trends.

Concentrating on four core products — potatoes, onions, yams and asparagus — Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce Corp. has seen significant growth in its organic sales over the past couple of years.

Scott Mabs, director of marketing for Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA, told The Produce News that the company is producing organic clementines this year.

“These are the first true organic clementines to be produced in the U.S.,” said Mr. Mabs. “The program will run during the November, December and January period.”

Homegrown Organic Farms is an organic fresh produce marketing company, representing over 3,500 acres of organic produce. The company was started in 1998 by husband and wife, John and Cindy France in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

Don’t look for dramatic changes in floral offerings at the 2012 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit. There will not be a preshow floral tour, floral education sessions, a floral packaging award winner or even a Floral Marketer of the Year award. There will be the time-honored floral networking reception.

It was a very difficult experience and certainly one that Larry Nienkerk of Splendid Products Inc. in Burlingame, CA, wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy.

Yet the recall of mangos in late August was also enlightening and added to the respect that he has for everyone involved in the process, including his many customers.