CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its port facilities at Gulfport, MS, were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Gulfport is one of five U.S. ports the company uses to import bananas and other fresh produce.

Skagit Valley potato grower Roger Knutzen has been renamed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits & Vegetables by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman.

"American agriculture continues to play a critical role in our agenda of opening markets and expanding opportunities around the world," said Mr. Portman. The advice offered by these committee members will help ensure that Americans are competing on a level playing field and have the opportunity to sell their world class goods in overseas markets.

Watsonville, CA-based Classic Salads expects to launch a company web site within a few weeks at www.classicsalads.com.

The company also recently added Jill Lenz to its sales team. Ms. Lenz previously was in sales for Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle.


United's leadership program makes stop in Salinas

Increased consumer demand for organic products has prompted Gilroy, CA-based Gourmet Veg-Paq Inc. to ramp up operations accordingly.

The company is doubling its square footage in El Centro, CA, with the expected November completion of a 40,000-square-foot facility. The company is also building a new facility in Hollister, CA, near Gilroy. The company plans to move into the Hollister location when it returns from El Centro.

Sahale Snacks, a Seattle-based producer of all natural, gourmet snack products, is taking a major step forward in realizing its goal of helping American consumers snack better.

The company has announced that its innovative line of nut blends will be sold at more than 140 SuperTarget stores in the United States. Sahale Snacks' new distribution channel reflects the growing trend of consumers demanding natural, healthy gourmet snack alternatives.

With a stroke of luck, Turbana Corp. in Coral Gables, FL, in recent months moved its Gulf Coast banana-receiving port from Gulfport, MS, to Freeport, TX.

According to national news reports, Gulfport took the worst hit from Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29. Meanwhile, in Freeport, "We didn't have problems with the hurricane, business wise," said Juan Alarcon, Turbana's chief executive officer.