"We have witnessed tremendous growth in our marketplace in the past three to five years," said Pete Piazza, president of Piazza Produce in Indianapolis. "The city has grown by leaps and bounds, and restaurants are opening at a proportionate rate."

NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association announced July 17 its 2006-07 Foodservice Board of Directors during the PMA Foodservice Conference & Exposition, July 14-16, in Monterey, CA.

Foodservice board Chairman Mikel Weber, vice president of Eastern operations for Golden Corral Corp. in Raleigh, NC, is supported by 16 directors. Board members are:

-- Mark Austin, vice president of Hardie's Fruit & Vegetable Co. LP in Dallas.

-- Leonard Batti, vice president of production and processing for NewStar Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA.

At the request of its Canadian members, the Organic Trade Association is expanding its efforts in Canada by establishing an OTA Canada division.

"This fulfills a long-term goal of OTA to create a stronger presence in Canada," Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director, said in a statement.

Ms. Wilcox noted that the association has always had members from Canada on its board and, in fact, was founded in part by Canadians. This move comes as Canada is preparing to issue its federal organic standards, which will require much attention from OTA.

After years of negotiations, Canadian produce groups announced that an agreement has been reached to modernize the country's destination inspection service and ultimately produce a system that will guarantee timely and accurate inspections.

The agreement calls for a restructuring of the destination inspection service of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and collection and allocation of resources to make the program sustainable.

NEW YORK -- When the World Cup final soccer game started on Sunday afternoon, July 9, attendees of the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, here, fell silent, if only for a minute. But over the next couple of hours, it was apparent that the attention was not only on food or on related business. Many left their booths and huddled in front of a television set at the rear of the facility.

For the next several hours, moans, screams, yelps, laughs and cries emanated from the crowd as the final game of the World Cup between Italy and France progressed.

Rocker Sammy Hagar and famed motorcycle customizer Arlen Ness are teaming up to raise awareness and funds among motorcycle enthusiasts in support of First Candle, one of the nation's leading charities dedicated to infant survival.

A one-of-a-kind motorcycle has been customized by Mr. Ness with original artwork by Mr. Hagar and will be included in a national drawing to benefit First Candle.