Salinas lettuce shippers are seeing falling demand in direct proportion to the rise in production of California melons, grapes and stone fruit. California and New Mexico onion shippers were seeing steady and good demand, and Idaho russet shippers were experiencing continued modest carton demand.

Piazza Produce Inc. continues to penetrate the foodservice sector with a number of innovative products and programs. “We’ve really expanded our specialty line,” President Pete Piazza told The Produce News on May 22. “That’s where our growth is right now.” Specialty items include olive oil and spices, and Mr. Piazza said customer reaction has been favorable.

Indianapolis Fruit Co. has embraced the power of technology to move fresh produce to consumers. Marketing Manager Antonia Mascari said the company’s Garden Cut line of convenience-packed fresh fruits and vegetables continues to grow in popularity among consumers, who are increasingly using a smartphone/iPad app to access information.

No one will argue that the current state of the economy is making things easy for fresh produce suppliers. But Rocky Ray, vice president of sales of Ray & Mascari Inc. in Indianapolis, said hard work and forward thinking turn problems into opportunities.

When Erick and Jessica Smith started This Old Farm in 2000, they wanted to make clean, locally grown food available to customers. Today, This Old Farm also represents more than 20 other farms. “The Farm Alliance is really the key to our operation,” President Jessica Smith said May 22. “The concept of the alliance came in to satisfy the wholesale market.”

The Original Farmers Market, located at the Indianapolis City Market, boasts more than 50 Indiana producers who sell their wares on Wednesdays from May through October.