The Fresh Produce Alliance is preparing to take the wraps off its new wholesale market prices project.

"We've been working on the project for a year-and-a-half, and we think it's a revolutionary method of collecting markets information for the horticultural sector, something that's ever been done before," Ian MacKenzie, the alliance's general manager, told The Produce News Oct. 21.

ORLANDO, FL -- Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition drew an East Coast record number of produce sellers and buyers -- and every link in the produce supply chain in between -- when it convened here Oct. 24-27. The event drew 17,502 attendees from 61 countries to the Orange County Convention Center.

Growers Express LLC has promoted Gary Andreasian to vice president and general manager. Previously, he served as vice president of sales.

In this newly created position, Mr. Andreasian will oversee all sales and production operations for the company and will report to Jamie Strachan, chief executive officer of Growers Express.

As part of its plan for future growth, Dulcinea Farms, based in Ladera Ranch, CA, has reinforced its sales and operations departments with the hiring of two industry veterans.

John McGuigan, who held senior management positions at Sunkist Growers Inc., is now vice president of sales and marketing, and Frank Mejia, formerly general manager of the Southwest production unit at Del Monte Fresh Produce, is now senior manager of Dulcinea's Mexican operations.

The Oppenheimer Group is celebrating its past by making a commitment to its future.

The Vancouver, BC-based company, which commemorates its 150th anniversary this year, announced a $150,000 pledge to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. This funding supports programs designed to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce industry.

As the prices of food and fuel continue to rise -- and salaries lag -- Americans are feeling the pinch. They're tightening their belts, looking for bargains and spending less, even on the essentials. According to a recent "IRI Times & Trends Special Report," about half of American consumers with annual incomes under $55,000 are now having difficulty buying the groceries they need.

So what incentives can you offer to attract penny-pinching customers and get them to open their wallets?