Julia Stewart, who for the past two-and-a-half years has served as public relations director for the Produce Marketing Association, is stepping down from that post. Her last day is Friday, Jan. 21.

Ms. Stewart, who wrote in an email that she remains "passionate about our industry," cited family obligations as her reason for leaving the association. She said that she wants to devote more time to her two young children, and that she is engaged to be married this spring to Dennis Courtier, an apple grower and marketer.

A difficult economy is still the order of the day. As such, Robert Goldstein, president and owner of Genpro Inc., said that it is of the utmost importance that the company excels in the service that it provides.

"The good news is that people have to eat, but the bad news is that everyone wants more for less," Mr. Goldstein said of current economic conditions. To survive in such difficult times, he stated, "You have to provide great service and market that service to your customers."

The Tom Lange Co. Inc. in Springfield, IL, has a long history of innovation in the transportation and logistics field. But that does not mean the company is sitting on its laurels.

Based in New York City, Target Interstate Systems focuses much of its efforts on serving the buying community in the surrounding area.

"Our main emphasis is on the I-95 corridor from Washington, DC, up through Maine," said Paul Kazan, president and founder of the firm. "We service most of the major growing regions -- California, Texas, Florida -- getting produce from there to this area."

The company has two divisions -- one dealing in produce and one hauling other goods. Mr. Kazan said that the firm's business is split fairly evenly between those two freight sectors.

DNE World Fruit Sales in Ft. Pierce, FL, particularly welcomed news from a Jan. 18 U.S. Department of Agriculture special report on this winter's freezing weather in Florida and its minimal impact on the state's citrus crop, especially grapefruit, which came out virtually unscathed. That is because DNE is one of the state's premier grapefruit producers, packing product under the world- renowned "Ocean Spray" label.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods in Oviedo, FL, has excellent supplies of high-quality Florida citrus available, according to Sam Jones, the company's citrus operation manager.

"Duda Farm Fresh is working with the Florida Department of Citrus on researching new citrus varietals for growing in the state of Florida," said Mr. Jones. "These tests have the top priority in working on citrus varietals that are consumer friendly, meaning great tasting, seedless and easy-to-peel fruit. Nothing has been released yet, but research and testing is underway."