Anthony Mazzuca is 25 going on 50. How else would one explain a 700-plus album collection -- not CDs -- dominated by artists of the 1970s? Or 25 Grateful Dead concerts attended, albeit post-Jerry Garcia? He insists he was at Woodstock, though it was the 1999 concert.

There are other signs. He has been working in fresh produce for nearly half his life. OK, most of that has been summer work, but still. He has many friends in the business.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced June 21 what it termed a series of actions intended to enhance the company's financial performance and position it for profitability in the long term.

The cornerstone of the company's plan consists of focusing on its strongest markets, where it typically has a significant market share position, and reducing its store "footprint" from 913 stores in the United States and the Bahamas to 587 stores.

WASHINGTON -- After the House of Representatives voted to delay country-of-origin labeling for meat, it is now the Senate's turn to weigh in on whether USDA should postpone meat labeling until September 2007.

But on June 21, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved the Senate's version of the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill without any mention of the embattled labeling program. The issue could surface when the spending bill is considered June 23 by the full committee.

SALINAS, CA -- Growers Express LLC, a leading producer of fresh vegetables, has named Oscar Chawdhry vice president of distribution.

Mr. Chawdhry has more than 30 years of experience in the food and fresh produce industries. His last 15 years were with Del Monte Fresh Produce at the company's Sanger, CA, facility, where he was most recently general manager of fresh-cut and distribution operations. Prior positions he held were warehouse manager for Martin Brower Co. and plant manager of Lowfield Distribution Co., a major supplier to J. Sainsbury in Manchester, England.

Melissa's/World Variety Produce in Los Angeles is collaborating with a famous chef, restaurateur and cookbook author who utilizes many specialty items in her recipes and dishes.

Zov Karamardian said that all indications now lead to Middle Eastern cuisine being the next major food trend in the United States.