WASHINGTON -- Fresh produce businesses can for the first time compare third-party auditor services thanks to a working group spearheaded by the United Fresh Produce Association.

The Audits Benchmarking Matrix, which was released April 30, allows users to compare eight organizations that perform pre-farm gate audits, seven businesses that perform post-farm gate audits, and four organizations whose standards have been benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative.

Retailers pulled out all the stops this year to secure their share of the $150,000 in cash and prizes awarded in the Idaho Potato Commission's 19th annual Potato Lover’s Month retail display contest. Floor-to-ceiling, head- turning displays and increased retailer participation demonstrated that one of the more anticipated retail promotions of the year is more popular than ever.

PARLIER, CA -- At its annual spring committee board meetings held here April 29, the California Tree Fruit Agreement in Reedley, CA, which administers marketing orders for fresh-market California peaches, plums and nectarines, approved an official combined crop estimate of just over 46.8 million packages for the three commodities, which is virtually unchanged from last year's actual shipments of just over 46.6 million packages.

With above-normal rainfall and snowpack for California this year, state and federal water authorities have both increased their allocation of water deliveries to agencies serving farmers in the San Joaquin Valley to 40 percent, up from previously announced allocations of 30 percent.

The increases were announced May 4 in separate press releases from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the California Department of Water Resources.

For the first time since its inception in 2007, the California Leafy Greens Advisory Board has elected new leadership.

During an April 30 meeting of the agreement's Advisory Board, Joe Pezzini, who was a guiding force for the California leafy greens industry's food-safety efforts, stepped down as the first chairman. Jamie Strachan of Growers Express LLC was elected as the new chairman of the advisory board.

In addition, the agreement elected Ryan Talley of Talley Farms as its new vice chairman, and Ron Ratto of Ratto Bros. Inc. as treasurer.

Southern Specialties, based in Pompano Beach, FL, announced May 3 the promotion of Susana Troop to sales manager, a newly created position. Ms. Troop, who has been with the company for six years, formerly served as key account manager.

Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, told The Produce News May 3 that Ms. Troop will oversee daily sales from the company's Pompano Beach sales office and will report to Shannon Barthel, director of sales and marketing.