Southern Specialties Inc., headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, announced Feb. 16 that Tim Meissner has been hired as chief operating officer.

Mr. Meissner has a broad range of experience in the produce industry. His career has included positions in retail, foodservice, produce distribution and grower applications management. He most recently held the position of vice president of sales at River Ranch Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA.

The U.S. Commerce Department has released data showing that consumer spending on food dropped almost 3.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008 as the effects of the sagging economy made their presence known.

The Wall Street Journal reported the news Friday, Feb. 13, revealing that spending was down pretty much across the board as consumers spent 10.9 percent less on alcohol, registered a 3.4 percent drop in beef purchases and even spent 5.1 percent less on pet food.

But there were several bright spots.

KINGSVILLE, ON -- Mastronardi Produce has announced that former Tanimura & Antle President Ken Silveira has joined the company as president of Mastronardi Produce -- West LLC. With Mr. Silveira joining the company, Mastronardi also announces the opening of a 20,000-square-foot warehouse in Salinas, CA, to begin servicing the West Coast in March.

It came as no surprise, but it is now official. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday, Feb. 20, a zero allocation of water from the Central Valley Project for agriculture use for 2009.

WASHINGTON -- Crisis communication is something with which Amy Philpott has had a lot of experience in recent years, but unlike many produce industry executives, it's something she enjoys.

Ms. Philpott left her post as vice president of communications at the United Fresh Produce Association and has taken a new job with Watson Mulhern, a public relations consulting firm that specializes in crisis communication among other services.

Aurora Products Inc., based in Stratford, CT, has launched the Aurora Natural line of 12 "Grab & Go" healthy snacks to meet the demands of today's busy consumer lifestyles.

Products in the new line are targeted toward health-conscious consumers because they are affordable and can be easily thrown into backpacks, lunch boxes or travel bags.