Tom Deardorff II, president of Deardorff Family Farms in Oxnard, CA, told The Produce News that the company is fully integrated.

“We do everything from growing, packing, distributing and marketing,” said Mr. Deardorff. “Our organic line was started in 2006 under the ‘Deardorff Organics’ label, and it has increased in production and in demand every year since.”

He added that it takes time to transition acreage at the company’s ranches to organic, but it is increasing each year.

“As a CCOF [California Certified Organic Farmers] certified organic wholesaler, we provide distribution, storage, logistics and consolidation services to trading partners throughout the U.S. and Canada. Working with many of the original pioneers of organic farming we’ve been privileged to help bring organics to the doorstep of the mass market,” according to the web site for Los Angeles-based Heath & Lejeune Inc.

S.M. Jones, a leading grower-shipper of corn, announced Aug. 30 the extension of its contract with CHEP, an industry leader in pallet and container pooling solutions. S.M. Jones uses CHEP pallets to transport its sweet corn from processing facilities in Florida in Homestead and Belle Glade to supermarkets, wholesale clubs and distributors across the United States.

FoodLink, the Los Gatos, CA-based on-line network for fresh food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, enjoyed significant growth during the first half of 2011, adding new customers at a record pace, introducing new products for buyers and suppliers, adding experienced executive leadership, and growing network commerce for fresh produce by more than 32 percent.

On the heels of the Aug. 22 suit it filed against the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. has filed a notice to sue Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division and one of its officials.

The Produce Marketing Association hired its first in-country representative in Brazil, Valeska Oliveira Ciré, to help expand its reach and impact in South America as part of its strategic growth objective.

Ms. Oliveira Ciré will serve as a liaison to help increase association membership and facilitate two-way