LAS VEGAS, NV -- Leaders in the fields of school nutrition and food safety kept the momentum of United Fresh 2010 going Wednesday, April 21. The annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association featured keynote addresses by officials from the New York City Department of Education and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- At the annual Reception Honoring Women in Produce held here Wednesday, April 21, in connection with the United Fresh Produce Association's 2010 convention and trade show, Lorri Koster, co-chairman of Mann Packing Co. in Salinas, CA, received the 2010 Award of Excellence for a Woman in Produce.

Maria Lena (Mylene) Pacheco joined the Newark, DE-based Produce Marketing Association's staff April 1 in the newly created position of vice president of member value creation. She leads the creation of value for PMA's membership worldwide, including understanding member needs and developing value offerings to meet or exceed those needs.

In her new role, Ms. Pacheco is leading staff teams that are responsible for research and development, events, and education.

Rock Butera, vice president of global sales and marketing for Nuovo International in Nashville, TN, told The Produce News that the full-service and marketing firm continues to focus strongly on the produce industry.

PARMA, ID -- In addition to its $15 million facility expansion at its complex here, seed giant Nunhems has also enlarged its Idaho staff to include Travis Estvold, newly named marketing and communication specialist for the Americas.

Mr. Estvold moves into the position previously held by Rebecca Catlett, a five-year employee of the seed company, who has taken on the role of global marketing and communications specialist, a job created in January 2009.

Just in time for the spring peak season, Ocean Mist Farms artichokes will be advertised in Shape magazine in May.

Ocean Mist Farms, based in Castroville, CA, is investing in advertising the spring crop this year in order to reach an important demographic that aligns with the artichoke consumer profile, according to Kori Tuggle, marketing manager for Ocean Mist.