A Fort Pierce, FL, entrepreneur has brought the Coquimba gourmet banana to Florida.

"We feel it is only fitting to bring another world-class flavor leader to Florida," Jose Ubilla, owner of Real Stone & Granite and now co-owner of the Coquimba gourmet banana, said in a press release. "Our fresh Coquimba bananas initially will only be available for Florida residents. However, we are in active discussions with produce distributors in California and other locations throughout the United States as word gets out on this new gourmet product."

Registration is open for the third annual Produce Marketing Association Education Foundation Golf Tournament, which is a fundraiser for the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation.

"PMA established the Nucci Scholarship in honor of our brother, Joe," Gina Nucci, director of foodservice marketing for Mann Packing Co. Inc., said in a press release. "It's a great way for Joe's friends and colleagues to get together, have fun and raise money for a great cause."

"It is a wait-and-see game now," said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY. "We are now waiting to see how [the apples] grow and how they can best be used."

Mr. Allen was referring to the damage to apple orchards resulting from a hailstorm that swept across New York state June 16. Current damage assessments stand at about 6 million to 7 million bushels that could have been damaged during the storm.

Starting with the 2008 pear and apple crops, sales and marketing for the entire fruit manifest of Wapato, WA-based E.W. Brandt & Sons Inc. will be handled by Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA.

The collaboration provides buyers with fruit from Washington's two primary fruit-growing regions: the Yakima Valley in the state's midsection on the eastern side of the Cascade Range and the Wenatchee-Chelan region further to the northeast.

This year's Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo has added an extra emphasis on professional development, which has led to a change in its seminar structure.

"Rather than focusing on floral or produce with separate seminars, the committee is stressing professional development for store-level attendees with a joint opening session featuring Harold Lloyd," said Carissa Mace, president of the council.

Former Safeway produce executive Robert Backovich died June 30 of a kidney ailment at the age of 76.

Mr. Backovich spent his entire produce career with Safeway Stores, rising to the top position in the produce department, which he held for many years. He was also very active in the produce industry, especially in volunteer roles within the Produce Marketing Association.