PACA creditors who were owed about $500,000 were close to reaching a settlement agreement with ATS LLC (formerly known as Arkansas Tomato Shippers), which suspended operations the third week of October.

Priscilla Grannis of the law firm Rynn & Janowsky told The Produce News Oct. 31 that every time the phone rings, "I hope it is the debtor's counsel accepting the terms of an agreement. I am hopeful that we can get it done by the end of this week; if not, then early next week."

Keith Mathews assumed the position of executive director of the Yakima Growers-Shippers Association in Yakima, WA. He was selected Oct. 15 following the resignation of former Executive Director Miles Kohl, who is now working in the private sector for Allan Bros. in Nachez, WA.

Mr. Mathews is no stranger to the organization. In the early 1990s, he was responsible for a number of fiduciary programs, including self-insurance programs, for growers and shippers in southern Washington. "As the warehouses became larger, the focus changed," Mr. Mathews noted.

The crew of the popular television food show "Bringing It Home with Laura McIntosh" paid a visit to Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms Oct. 24 to film a segment that features Chef Tony Baker cooking artichokes and asparagus in one of Ocean Mist's fields. The piece is scheduled to air sometime this spring.

Ms. McIntosh's crew visited Ocean Mist's booth at the PMA Fresh Summit in Houston. Kori Tuggle, marketing manager for Ocean Mist, said that the Fresh Summit filming of Ocean Mist is destined for use on "food-oriented web sites."

Widespread wildfires and even more widespread fierce Santa Ana winds in Southern California early in the week of Oct. 21 caused damage -- in some cases severe damage -- to thousands of acres of avocados and other crops. But the scope of the damage to the state's total avocado crop is now believed to be less than some in the industry initially feared and much lower than some early news reports indicated.

Country Fresh Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of fresh-cut produce and ready-to-eat meal solutions based in Houston, introduced a new line of snack packs combining varieties of fruits, vegetables and cheeses with Labrada Nutrition Hi-Protein granola bars.

Country Fresh's new snack packs come in four varieties featuring apples, grapes, celery, carrots and sharp cheddar cheese cubes.

Each snack pack includes one of two flavors of the Labrada Hi-Protein Granola Bars, which boast 20 grams of protein each.

WASHINGTON -- With the Senate slated to debate the farm bill during the week of Nov. 5, President Bush named former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer as his choice to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The two-term former governor would replace Acting Secretary Chuck Conner, who was installed when Mike Johanns quit the job in September to run for the Senate. Mr. Schaefer would have to be confirmed by the Senate before leading the USDA. In the coming weeks, questions will be raised about his position on key issues before Congress.