Three companies have donated a total of $200,000 to the Center for Produce Safety, a public and private partnership at the University of California-Davis that funds original research, has created a searchable database of global produce safety research, and is developing industry training and outreach programs.

Marysville, OH-based Community Market took home top honors from the Idaho Potato Commission’s 2012 retail display contest, placing first among stores with one to five cash registers and winning $1,500 for its “Fuel Up with the World Famous Idaho Potatoes” display, which featured a giant potato truck cutout getting fueled up by Mrs. Dash and Molly McButter gas pumps.

Lipman, one of North America's larger field tomato growers — a company that has been known as a B2B supplier — recently launched Lipman Kitchen, a new consumer-focused website.

At the United Fresh 2012 convention in Dallas the United Fresh Produce Association awarded the Best New Fruit Product Award to Ready Pac Foods Inc. for its new line of fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits. The five-item line of parfaits, which will begin shipping this summer, targets consumer interest in healthy snacking and quality fresh foods, as well as growth in the yogurt category.

Less is more, the saying goes, but when it comes to having retail staff available (in the floral department, for example), less is just less. In other words, being stingy with staffing hurts retail sales. Leanness is in these days, but too much cost-cutting can backfire.

Registration for the 2012 International Floriculture Expo is on track to exceed last year’s totals of 1,750 attendees, 200 high-volume retail buyers and 190 exhibitors, show officials said.