Cherry growers and shippers in the Pacific Northwest are starting to exhale as they prepare to move into production for this season's crop. Unlike 2008, the year during which frost severely damaged the annual crop, prospects for 2009 have the industry excited.

Maine agricultural products and Maine-made goods were the center of attention at a special "Made in Maine" celebration held May 19 at the Walmart in Augusta, ME.

Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Ned Porter and Secretary of State Matt Dunlap joined representatives of Maine companies, legislators, local school children and Walmart associates and customers in promoting the quality of Maine products.

Longtime Metro Inc. staffer Robert Sawyer was recently named executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Montreal-based firm.

Mr. Sawyer, who is celebrating 30 years of service at Metro this year, most recently served as senior vice president of Metro's Ontario division, Metro Ontario Inc.

According to a company press release, "in his new position, he will be responsible for the Quebec and Ontario divisions, national procurement, corporate brands as well as information systems and marketing.

NEWARK, DE -- Produce Marketing Association's first-ever affiliate is now being formed for members in Australia and New Zealand, and will officially begin operating this fall, according to association leaders.

WASHINGTON -- From October 2008 to March 2009, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., based in Terra Bella, CA, continued to process roasted pistachios and ship product despite the fact that four laboratories detected Salmonella on eight occasions, according to an inspection report by the Food & Drug Administration.

The berry patch is led by strawberries first and foremost, followed by blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. But raspberries are more than holding their own.

Nishan Moutafian, raspberry and blackberry business manager for Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc., told The Produce News that the quality of Driscoll's raspberries is improving continually. The company's raspberries all are proprietary varieties.