ROSEVILLE, CA -- With a massive display of locally grown California strawberries as a backdrop, the California Department of Food & Agriculture joined Wal-Mart and Watsonville, CA-based California Giant Inc. at a special event promoting locally grown California strawberries at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, here, March 26.

The event also focused on the health benefits of strawberries and played up Wal-Mart's partnership with local producers to bring fresh, locally grown strawberries to California customers.

WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association announced that Claudia Wenzing, a member of the senior staff of the Produce for Better Health Foundation for the past 12 years, will join United Fresh April 28 as vice president of business development.

Jim Hazen, executive director of the Washington State Horticultural Association, said he will be leaving the organization at the end of April. Mr. Hazen tendered his resignation after accepting a position as business manager for Broetje Orchards in Prescott, WA.

Mr. Hazen, who served at the association's helm for the past 10 years, said that industry reaction to the news came quickly. "Most people were kind of surprised [to learn of my resignation]," Mr. Hazen told The Produce News.

ELTOPIA, WA -- While asparagus acreage in Washington state has dropped significantly in recent years, down from 22,000 in 2000 to 8,500 this season, new plantings are starting to come into production, and prices are looking good for 2008.

According to Alan Schreiber, executive director of the Washington Asparagus Commission, fresh-market grass from Washington could bring 65 cents per pound "or better" this year.

Moreover, he said that in 2007, "more asparagus nurseries were planted in the Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley than in the three previous years combined."

While the atmosphere will remain intimate for the New England Produce Council's Produce & Floral Expo April 9 in Boston, Laura Sullivan, executive director of the Burlington, MA-based group, said that the number of exhibitors will be slightly higher.

Ms. Sullivan told The Produce News March 26 that the 2008 show will have 225 booths, up from last year's 218.

The California Avocado Commission board of directors honored commission President Mark Affleck at its March meeting on the very day marking his 20- year anniversary as chief executive officer. The surprise ceremony featured 17 speakers, including board members, past board chairmen, commission employees and leaders who have worked with Mr. Affleck as he piloted the California avocado industry through a series of challenges and two decades of increased grower value.