Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. in Kahului, HI, announced Nov. 3 its intention to restructure the business, ending 97 years of pineapple cultivation on the Valley Isle.

The company's two subsidiaries are the Maui Pineapple Co. Ltd., which grew Maui Gold pineapples on 2,000 acres, and the Kapalua Land Co. Ltd., which operated the Kapalua Resort in west Maui.

Litehouse Inc., headquartered in Sandpoint, ID, continues to innovate with a variety of value-added products. Paul Kusche, director of marketing and innovations, said that the firm's new cider showcases several of the premier apple varietals for which Washington is known.

"These are variety-specific blends," he said of the cider line. The program was initially launched as Washington Galas were coming into production during September. "Now we have a Honeycrisp blend, and then we will be going to a Fuji blend [in January]."

APTOS, CA -- The Chilean Avocado Importers Association celebrated the world of soccer Oct. 10 during its American Youth Soccer Association Night with Club Deportivo Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

PHILADELPHIA -- A longtime house on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, M&C Produce Co. Inc., closed its doors Nov. 6.

William Morgen, secretary-treasurer of the Philadelphia Produce Credit Bureau on the market, said that John Lerro, owner of M&C, "never mentioned to any of us on the market that he would be closing his doors. And he never mentioned it to the credit bureau." Mr. Morgen has learned that Mr. Lerro "has employed an attorney to work out a payout arrangement with all of his creditors," though he did not know the name of the attorney.

In Chile it is springtime moving toward summer. Chile's spring has been less than ideal for fruit growers.

BRASELTON, GA -- The Southeast Produce Council celebrated its 10th anniversary the first weekend in November in part by recognizing many of the individuals who have helped make the council a success since it was founded in 1999.

Attendees also heard a presentation by consultant Ronnie De La Cruz, whose keynote address looked at how major events over the past 10 years have affected the council and the produce industry in general as well as some issues that may have an important impact over the next 10 years.