MORGANVILLE, NJ — Approximately 40 miles south of New York City, in this pastoral town within the boundaries of Marlboro Township in New Jersey’s Monmouth County, a new vineyard and winery is set to open this fall, complete with all the trappings found at locations in more famous wine-producing regions around world: wine grapes grown on acres of rich farmland; a tasting room where visitors can sample wines produced on site; and a demo kitchen where food to complement the wines will be artfully prepared by top chefs.

To-Jo Fresh Mushrooms Inc., located in Avondale, PA, recently introduced Traditional Mushroom Sautee with Butter, Salt and Pepper. Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo told The Produce News that the item is a microwavable mushroom product in retail-size packs. The company has entered the product in the Produce Marketing Association’s Impact Award competition.

Giorgio Fresh Company in Temple, PA, is a leading and fully integrated mushroom producer that sells its conventional and organic mushroom lines to retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and industrial customers.

“Giorgio is currently implementing the Produce Traceability Initiative,” said Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for the company. “PTI will enable us to meet the demands and requirements of the industry.”

The company’s state-of-the-art packing operation is Safe Quality Food Level-3 certified.

The changing of the seasons from summer to fall signals an exciting time for Dragonberry Produce. “We’re evolving into certain programs that are really strong,” Sales Executive Amy Nguyen told The Produce News on Aug. 26. Dragonberry Produce is located in Clackamas, OR, and markets blueberries, raspberries, black raspberries and blackberries, from June through September. A full range of spring and summer mixed vegetables grown in the Pacific Northwest are also available.

Bruce Klein, director of marketing for Maurice A. Auerbach Inc., located in South Hackensack, NJ, told The Produce News that its “Auerpak” brand vacuum-packed garlic is getting good response from retailers.

“The six individual sections are individually vacuum-packed,” said Mr. Klein. “The item provides convenience to consumers by having just the right amount of garlic for recipes in a ready-to-use format, and it has a longer shelf life under proper refrigeration.

Christopher Ranch has been working with an heirloom variety of garlic for the past 50 years and is now bringing it to market under the “Monviso” brand name, according to Jeff Stokes, vice president of sales.