Baldor Specialty Foods Inc. announced that it is close to finalizing the acquisition of Merex Food Corp., a leading produce importer for the North American market.

Merex is a specialty food industry pioneer, having introduced exotic products to the mainstream market over 20 years ago.

Metro Inc., one of Canada's larger retail chains, has promoted two of its senior produce executives and has begun to restructure its operations in Ontario to make it the largest grocery banner in the province.

Bernadette Hamel, senior director for produce purchasing, merchandising and central procurement, was promoted to vice president of produce purchasing, merchandising and customer service for Quebec and central negotiations for Ontario and Quebec.

(This is an updated story from the one posted Sept. 9 on this site.)

Ron Lemaire is going green, and it has nothing to do with produce.

Mr. Lemaire, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's executive vice president and director of marketing, announced his resignation Sept. 19. He is leaving to become vice president of market development at the Canadian Green Building Council. His last day at the CPMA will be Oct. 17.

In mid-September, when Hurricane Ike was several hundred miles off the coast of Texas and barreling down on the Lone Star State, Texas Produce Association President John McClung thought he might have to postpone the association's convention one more time.

But the storm veered north and east, sparing the Rio Grande Valley from its wrath and allowing the TPA convention to be held Sept. 19-21 in McAllen, TX. "We had somewhat of a makeshift event, but it was well worth the effort," he said. "We had some excellent presentations on a variety of very important topics."

The United Fresh Produce Association announced the hiring of Patrick Delaney to the newly created post of communications manager. He will handle all incoming press inquiries, as well as research and proactive media outreach. Additionally, he will play a key role in providing content development and editing for United Fresh publications.