LAS VEGAS, NV -- Utilizing their own allowance, kids directly purchase $40 billion in food and influence another $146 billion in food purchases by their parents, according to research presented at a workshop session during the United Fresh Produce Association convention, held here May 4-7.

Heidi McIntyre, marketing director of Produce for Kids, and Steve Lutz, executive vice president of the Perishables Group, talked about the buying power of kids and how to market to them.

After pioneering the winter sweet onion category over 20 years ago in Chile, OsoSweet is expanding its season and moving north to Texas.

"We're off to a great start, despite there being a lot of onions in the marketplace," John Battle of Battle Produce Exchange in Traverse City, MI, the exclusive sales agent for the "OsoSweet" brand, said in a press release.

Railex LLC is riding the rails of success.

With diesel fuel prices at an all-time high and no relief in sight, the firm, a division of ADS Management LLC, is in the midst of building a new, state-of- the-art, freight-forward distribution terminal in Delano, CA. Railex currently has facilities in Wallula, WA, and Rotterdam, NY.

Eric Schwartz has joined Monterey, CA-based SK Foods as vice president of corporate strategic planning for the international tomato and vegetable processing firm.

In addition, Mr. Schwartz will oversee the business operations of Salyer American Fresh Foods and SK Frozen Foods. SK Foods is an international processor of tomato and vegetable products -- organic and conventional -- for re-manufacturers and foodservice marketers.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer believes that Congress will pass a "bloated" and "pork-barrel"-laden farm bill that will be vetoed by President Bush, with that veto overridden by Congress, whose members want that bill to pass for the purpose of touting it during upcoming re-election campaigns.

After several decades of working in the food and wine industry, Frank McCarthy has decided to retire in July at age 65.

Mr. McCarthy will walk away from his role as vice president of marketing for Albert's Organics at its Dayville, CT, location, a role he has held for the past four-and-a-half years. He is also director of brand positioning for United Natural Foods Inc., which owns Bridgeport, NJ-based Albert's Organics Inc.