Westlake Produce Co.'s Winter Haven, FL, division and Voita Citrus of Florida Inc., based in Tampa, FL, announced in a joint statement that they have consolidated their sales offices and will now operate as Westlake Produce Co. The consolidated entity will operate from Westlake's Winter Haven office.

New York apple growers will be picking rain-fattened apples this season, and a statewide crop at least as big as last year's is predicted, according to a consensus of the state's growers and industry leaders.

"Fresh-picked local fruit will be abundant this fall," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, based in Fishers, NY, said in an Aug. 3 press release. "Consumers will be delighted with the fresh taste and bigger size of our new-crop apples this season."

Samples taken from an avocado tree in Florida in late July confirmed that the tree has laurel wilt, a fungal disease that is carried and spread by the ambrosia beetle. The state now finds itself in yet another battle to save a valuable commercial crop.

Many of the assets of the several firms that made up Mills Family Farms, a longtime Salinas Valley agricultural operation, are scheduled to be auctioned off Aug. 12 at the Monterey County Administration Building.

Mills Family Farms suspended operations in July 2008, citing financial difficulties in relationship to several real estate developments in which the firm and its principal owners -- Basil Mills and Roger Mills -- were involved.

California Giant owners and staff are preparing to walk and run around the clock in the battle against cancer for the sixth consecutive year during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life this summer in Watsonville, CA. This 24-hour "celebration of life" brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together.

Before the California Giant team pitches their tents for the Relay for Life event Aug. 8, much work is done to raise funds in advance. The staff has been organizing several community fundraisers to meet fundraising goals.

Although the recent downturn in the economy has had a negative impact on its foodservice business, Cutchogue, NY-based Satur Farms has seen an uptick in its retail business.

"We've seen a little shift away from dining establishments, and we've noticed quite an increase in demand in the retail component, and that is exciting," said Paulette Satur, who co-owns the firm with her husband, Eberhard Muller, a world-renowned chef with 30 years of experience, who has served as executive chef at some of New York City's more famous restaurants.