PHILADELPHIA -- The site for the new Philadelphia wholesale produce market has moved a mile to the south, but members of the city's wholesale produce trade are not bothered by the latest announcement regarding their future home.

Earlier this month, Prime Produce International relocated its corporate offices to a Placentia, CA, facility previously occupied by Sunrise Growers, which moved its fresh operations to San Clemente.

But the two companies now have even closer ties with the Aug. 18 announcement that Doug Circle, founder and chairman of Sunrise Growers, Frozun Foods and Circle Farms Inc., has become an investor and partner in Prime Produce.

"Fresh Morels, all year round," summed Dr. Gary Mills when explaining Midsummer Exotic Mushroom's entry into the specialty produce industry while looking over the 80-acre Scottville, MI, facility that produces the firm's "Gourmet Mix."

Spreckels, CA-based Tanimura & Antle has announced the rollout of its new three-pack of "Sweet Gem" gourmet lettuce.

Each head of this variety of lettuce is small enough to serve one person and has the texture and color of Romaine lettuce with the taste and sweetness of butter lettuce. Rich in nutrients, Tanimura & Antle's Sweet Gem is a high source of vitamin A.

CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its premium "Chiquita" brand ranked No. 5 in overall brand equity in the 2005 edition of EquiTrend, a unique brand quality and equity measurement and comparison tool developed by Harris Interactive.

NEWARK, DE -- Citing growing member concerns regarding transportation challenges, the Produce Marketing Association's Executive Committee approved the creation of a transportation task force at its meeting Aug. 12-13 in Ojai, CA.

Led by PMA board members Bud Floyd of C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. and Bill Schuler of Castellini Co., the task force will examine, and when possible, propose solutions for critical produce industry transportation issues.