MONTEREY, CA  In an effort to move the produce industry forward through technology, the Produce Marketing Association announced the launch of ASAP: Produce at its RFID Fresh Produce Academy & Expo held here June 2.

WENATCHEE, WA -- Stemilt Growers Inc. has selected organic fruit grower and packer Harold Ostenson as the newest member of its horticultural staff and part of the Stemilt team that focuses on organic tree fruit cultivation, packing and post-harvest practices.

Mr. Ostenson, who started at Stemilt on May 23, has been a tree fruit grower for 30 years, with the last 20 focused on organic production and packing. Most of his fruit-growing acreage is located in the Columbia Basin, where he raises apples, pears, cherries, stone fruits and berries.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture in Dover has launched a project to help small-volume fresh produce farms develop value-added products.

Through a business transaction that resulted in each company buying a significant percentage of the other, California-based Calavo Growers Inc. and Limoneira Co. have reached a strategic alliance that is expected to strengthen both firms.

The most immediate benefit, according to Calavo's Lee Cole, is the extra 10 million pounds of California avocados now in the Calavo camp. Mr. Cole, who is chairman of the board, CEO and president of Calavo, told The Produce News that the additional tonnage "is significant. In fact, it significantly reduces our packing costs."

Why is it that some companies and organizations cut out their sales representatives just to save a few measly dollars? Then top officers wind up complaining that sales are dragging and usually blame it on a poor economy or other excuses.

The field people I refer to are those who make sales happen out in the trenches. They're the on-the-road company sales representatives and organizational marketing merchandisers. Many are disappearing from the sales scene.

MEDFORD, NJ -- The Philadelphia wholesale produce community met June 3 for the fourth annual Lou Penza Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament at the Medford Village Country Club, here, and while rain throughout the day certainly dampened the course, there were only four no-shows as 76 golfers attended.