Building on its reputation as a recognized leader and global provider of produce, Los Angeles-based Giumarra has announced the addition of two new members to its berry division: Michael Caputo and Bruce Turner.

Members of the National Onion Association had an opportunity to trade information on a variety of topics at the group's 92nd annual convention in Scottsdale, AZ. The conference concluded Dec. 3.

Charley Wolk is stepping down after 20 years of successful leadership as chairman of the California Avocado Commission's Nutrition Advisory Committee.

His retirement comes after a distinguished tenure of service overseeing the committee responsible for scientific research into the health benefits of California avocados. His deep commitment to the committee educated millions of consumers about the California avocado's role in a healthy diet and dispelled common myths about the fruit, industry observers said.

Having outgrown its current facility, Baldor Specialty Foods, one of the larger importers and distributors of fresh produce in the Northeast, will be moving to a larger facility this coming spring.

"We are forward-thinkers and we have spent the last two years knowing that we needed to move to a larger building as we outgrew ours," said Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor.

PHILADELPHIA -- J.M. Procacci is excited. He expects ExpressTrak to be doubling its refrigerated rail cargo service in the near future.

His firm, Procacci Bros./Garden State Farms, here, is in the midst of a two-year contract with ExpressTrak, which Procacci Bros. has used to bring produce to Philadelphia from various distant U.S. shipping points.

Prime Produce International LLC in Placentia, CA, announced Thursday, Dec. 8, that it has signed an exclusive marketing agreement with an avocado growers cooperative in Michoacan, Mexico.

Integradora De Productores de Aguacate de Michoacan is a growing, packing and marketing cooperative that was recently formed to pool the production of Mexican Hass avocados for sales in the U.S. market, said Avi Crane, president and chief executive officer of Prime Produce.