Western Growers Association has responded to requests from buyers and others for a plan to improve food safety and has publicly outlined the actions the association and its members are taking with regard to food safety concerns.

GUATEMALA CITY -- Those sleeping in Guatemala City on Thanksgiving night needed a couple of extra blankets. Even at a mile-plus above sea level, the need for heating homes is so rare that most homes do not have heating systems.

Solutions for staying warm escaped most of Guatemala's vegetable-producing highlands during a cold front that ran on three record-breaking cold nights Nov. 22-24. The Guatemala City newspaper Prensa Libre reported Nov. 26 that the country experienced $6 million in vegetable crop losses on the night of Nov. 22 alone as a result of the freeze.

Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets announced Monday, Nov. 27, that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Albertson's LLC Northern California division.

The transaction includes 132 Albertson's stores spread over northern California and northern Nevada, the Roseville, CA, and Vacaville, CA, distribution centers, as well as the Albertson's division office in Dublin, CA. Of the 132 stores, two of the California stores are closed and 10 of the stores are in the Nevada cities of Reno, Sparks and Carson City.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in Maitland, FL, has named Lisa Lochridge its director of public affairs, effective Nov. 27. Ms. Lochridge brings a strong background in public relations and journalism to FFVA.

"We're extremely pleased to have Lisa with us," FFVA President Mike Stuart said in a press release. "She brings a wealth of experience with her, and she is no stranger to the Florida agriculture industry."

NOGALES, AZ -- "We are continuing to try to change" the common perceptions in the United States regarding Mexican-grown produce "and highlight the fact that whether they know it or not, for a lot of the winter, they are eating Mexican produce," said Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce Sales Inc., who is a member of the public relations committee of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here. "A lot of [consumers] never in their dreams would think that 60 percent of the fruits and vegetables they are eating in the wintertime are from Mexico."

Sam Lipot retired Oct. 21 after spending more than half a century in the produce industry.

Mr. Lipot, 64, got his start 52 years ago in the industry working beside his grandfather Sam Pettello at the family's fruit markets in the Pennsylvania towns of Elysburg and Marion Heights.

He worked for Laneco/Food Lane in Allentown, PA, for 35 years, during which time he saw that chain grow to 30 stores from four stores.