WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association has named Miriam S. Miller as its new director of membership, adding a full-time staff position devoted to growing and supporting the association's membership.

Ms. Miller will work closely with Jeff Oberman, vice president of industry relations, to grow United's membership base and assist members with maximizing the benefit of United's services.

The Buy California Marketing Agreement, which oversees the "California Grown" campaign, recently promoted Maile Shanahan Geis from marketing director to executive director, where she is now responsible for the program's strategic direction, long-term planning and signatory relations.

In addition, she will continue to oversee the marketing and promotional activities of the statewide campaign, including public relations outreach, advertising programs, retail and foodservice merchandising, and industry communications.

Bob Ringer, a well-known figure in the Denver produce industry and former head of Ringer & Son Produce Brokerage, died July 2 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. He was 86.

Gene Schneider, who is on the sales staff at Ringer & Son, said that Mr. Ringer had been active in the industry for more than 50 years. The longtime produce man also had a distinguished service record.

WASHINGTON -- News that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration lifted its advisory on fresh tomatoes was met with relief from California growers who are trying to earn the best price for their products in today's market, but only underscored the damage done to Florida growers.

NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association has added a town hall- style gathering on the ongoing Salmonella saintpaul foodborne illness investigation to the agenda for its 2008 Foodservice Conference & Exposition, which will convene July 25-27 in Monterey, CA.

The town hall meeting will be held Saturday, July 26, to update conference attendees on the status of the federal government's investigation and PMA's related activities, and to respond to industry questions.

Have you gone grocery shopping lately? If so, you had to have noticed much higher retail prices on items in every department, including produce. Food price's have escalated noticeably in the past year. They increased 4 percent in 2007, and economists predict that the consumer price index for food could increase by 5.5 percent in 2008. This has led to much less consumer confidence with regard to spending.