Deardorff Family Farms is moving into the branded tomato category. For 75 years, Deardorff Family Farms has been shipping tomatoes from California. Four generations of Deardorffs have seen many good varieties over those years — some with great flavor or great shelf life, others with better health characteristics or high yield. But, none combined everything in one variety — until now.

Jim Wiers, senior partner at Wiers Farm, said significant changes have occurred in the fresh produce industry during the past decade. He shared his comments and observations with The Produce News April 20.

Membership in the Ohio Proud program continues to grow. “The program had hovered around 200 members,” Lori Panda, senior program manager, told The Produce News on April 12. “Then the fee was reduced, and this helped smaller businesses come in.” Today, the program is comprised of 489 partners in 79 counties. “That is the highest number ever,” Ms. Panda commented.

With finalization of an agreement May 3, an exclusive marketing partnership between two leading Washington state fruit companies launched a major organic program for certified Northwest apples, pears, cherries and stone fruit.

Don Goforth, marketing director for Reedley, CA-based Family Tree Farms Marketing LLC said April 16 that he believes the industry will indeed feel the effects from a reduced stone fruit crop due to widespread hail damage the week of April 9.

Mario Martinez, Irene Sanchez and Doug Ranno of Colorful Harvest in Salinas, CA, at the United Fresh 2012 convention.