Fresh fruit is the specialty of Sunny Valley International Inc. in Glassboro, NJ. This summer, however, vegetables are going to play a larger part in the firm's marketing mix, according to Phil Neary, Sunny Valley's director of operations and grower relations.

"We have dabbled in vegetables from time to time over the years," Mr. Neary told The Produce News April 14. But recently, "we were approached by a vegetable grower to take his whole deal. It's a relatively small deal overall," but it will be a strong program for regional retail markets, Mr. Neary said.

LA MIRADA, CA -- A panel of Southern California retail produce executives discussed vendor relationships during the regular bimonthly membership meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, held here April 9, which drew an overflow crowd of 250 industry participants.

WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association announced that it will expand its annual trade show and convention to focus on produce innovations, fresh meals and technology solutions for the retail and foodservice marketing channels, and the total fresh produce and fresh meals supply chains.

SALINAS, CA -- Local news sources reported that FBI and IRS agents executed a search warrant under a sealed affidavit on the offices of SK Foods on Wednesday morning, April 16, in Monterey, CA.

Salinas, CA-based KSBW-TV reported that SK offices in the California towns of Williams and Lemoore were searched Wednesday morning in addition to the firm's Monterey headquarters, and that FBI agents confirmed a private residence also was searched.

FRESNO, CA -- FreshSense in Parlier, CA, which represents the "Ripe 'N Ready" brand of peaches, plums and nectarines from a group of California growers and packers, announced a new "Great Taste Guarantee" program for fruit packed under the "Ripe 'N Ready" label at an April 10 press conference.

Under the guarantee, FreshSense promises "to buy back from consumers any piece of 'Ripe 'N Ready' fruit if it fails to deliver great taste," according to a prepared statement.

SALINAS, CA -- California Leafy Greens Research Program is a new marketing order that replaces the longtime California Lettuce Research Board and now includes spinach and spring mix.

The program's fiscal year began April 1 and operates under the California Department of Food & Agriculture, which oversaw the Salinas, CA-based California Lettuce Research Board.