The North American Blueberry Council has selected Alyssa Houtby as its government affairs director. In this newly created role, Houtby will lead the council’s advocacy efforts and will work closely with Monument Advocacy, NABC’s Washington, DC-based lobbying firm.

A common theme of meetings that I’ve been in recently is education —  both for the end consumer and for category managers, buyers, and anyone new to the world of produce. It can be hard to wrap one’s head around the number of varieties, various seasons and countries of origin. Not to mention, all the growing intricacies and supply chain knowhows. It seems that in a world where anyone can “Google it,” there are still questions about the thousands of different produce items.

The onion marketing situation seems to be lining up well for the start of the Texas spring onion deal as some of the competitive production areas are close to clearing out their supplies, leaving a supply void to be filled by Rio Grande Valley production.

Though Paul J. DiMare Sr. started his produce career at the family’s wholesale operation in Boston, he made his biggest mark in the Florida tomato industry, earning the nickname Mr. Tomato along the way.

Throughout the early part of March, United Supermarkets teamed up with Rainier Fruit to donate more than 5,000 pairs of socks across Texas through the Pears for Pairs initiative. More than 20,000 pairs of socks have been donated through this program over the last four years.

During the fall and winter months in 2022, a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of Rainier Fruit pears and apples went to purchasing brand new socks to donate to organizations that support those experiencing homelessness — “Pears for Pairs.”