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Winn-Dixie produce debt could reach $20 million

In the early throes of the Winn-Dixie filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the size of the debt is as much speculation as anything else. With that said, the early speculation is that the produce debt could reach $20 million.

Donovan joins Fresh Kist

Fresh Kist Produce in Salinas, CA, announced the hiring of Denny Donovan, who recently joined the company?s sales team.

Mr. Donovan has deep roots in the produce industry: his grandfather worked as a buyer in the 1930s for TopCo and Kroger, and his father worked for produce shippers in the San Jose area. Today, his father, uncle and two sons are all active in the produce industry.

?We are extremely pleased that Denny decided to come on board with us," said Jason Lathos, sales manager at Fresh Kist.

Garlic cloves key element to "Garlic Expressions? dressing

What humbly started out as a signature house dressing for one restaurant some 12 years ago is an item that can be found in specialty food stores and conventional supermarkets across the nation.

?Garlic Expressions? " a salad dressing noted for its whole fresh garlic cloves in every bottle " is the creation of Larry Croy, former chef and owner of a Perrysburg, OH-area restaurant where the salad dressing got its start.

SALINAS SCENE: Retailer serves as proving ground for Salinas-area growers

SALINAS, CA " Star Market, here, a mid-sized, independent, family-owned store not to be confused with the Star Market supermarket chain acquired by Albertson?s a year ago, prides itself (among other things) on carrying a wide variety of fresh produce from Salinas-area growers.

The single-entity grocery store has long been a favorite outlet for products from growers in the tri-county area of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

Earl?s enhances sales staff

Earl?s Organic Produce in San Francisco recently made some changes to its sales team.

Patrick Stewart, who has been with the company for 10 years and has 13 years of experience in organics, has been promoted to sales manager.

?Patrick Stewart has been with me for 10 years, starting on the floor, and then driving and then in sales," stated Earl Herrick, owner of Earl?s Organic Produce. "This promotion to sales manager represents an Earl?s success story. We love to promote from within and look forward to Patrick?s new role."

Maui Hawaiian Gold pineapple makes splash at PGA event

Maui Pineapple Co. made a splash at the first PGA Tour tournament of 2005 in January, showcasing its "Hawaiian Gold? brand pineapple before more than 30,000 players, spectators and volunteers at the winners-only Mercedes Championships.

The event took place on the brand?s home turf, the 18-hole championship Plantation Course of Kapalua Resort, which is also home to 2,000 acres of pineapple fields that are actively cultivated by Maui Pineapple Co.

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