NEWARK, DE -- Produce Marketing Association officials announced March 13 that agriculture and government affairs specialist Tom O'Brien has been chosen as PMA's consulting lobbyist. Association leaders noted Mr. O'Brien's extensive experience gained as a state and federal government official and a lobbyist to the PMA government affairs staff, at a time when the industry is facing a host of critical federal legislative and regulatory issues.

Brenda Thomas, part of the multi-generation Bailey family in The Dalles, OR, was recently named general manager of family-owned Orchard View Farms, one of the larger cherry-growing operations in the world.

Ms. Thomas' father, Bob Bailey, is currently president of the operation, and her uncle Ken Bailey is vice president.

Raised in the farming environs of Orchard View, Ms. Thomas joined the firm in spring 2007 as warehouse manager, though she has been on the company's board of directors for 15 years.

FRESNO, CA -- Z&S Fresh Inc., here, which is licensed by General Mills to pack fresh produce under the "Old El Paso Fresh" label, will be extending its season for some product packed under the brand thanks to a co-packing partnership with Tanimura & Antle Inc. in Salinas, CA.

NEW_YORK -- Moe Cohen, one of the few remaining produce dealers who in 1967 moved from New York's Washington Street Market to the Hunts Point Terminal Market, died Feb. 22 at age 91.

Mr. Cohen's son Martin said his father was one of three founders of Amigo Foods Corp., which he said was once one of the three larger businesses in the Hunts Point market.

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in Nogales, AZ, which represents over 100 U.S. member companies involved in growing, packing, sales and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico, is continuing its "very popular promotion outreach to retailers" this year, said Veronica Kraushaar, owner of Viva Marketing, which represents the association in some of its promotional activities.

Banana prices are rising as farms in Central America and Ecuador have suffered severe weather, which has reduced supplies below demand levels.

Brian Kocher, president of Chiquita Brands North America, alerted Chiquita customers in a Feb. 22 letter that the Cincinnati-based marketer would invoke the force majeure clause in its contracts, and banana prices would rise $2 per box for pickups, effective March 2.