Mark Overbay, manager of communications for United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association in Washington has resigned from the association. His last day was Friday, Feb. 17.

Mr. Overbay, who joined the association in July 2004, "has played an important role in United's communications efforts for the past several years," United said in a statement. "For personal reasons, Mark is moving out of the Washington, DC, area, and will therefore be resigning his position."

Pressure is on grower-shippers to find solutions for radio frequency identification device tagging, and the Produce Marketing Association hopes that a new effort to create a central database to share the latest information will help.

The biggest challenge for radio frequency identification devices is to find ways for them to work at the pallet level, said PMA's Gary Fleming. "There's a lot of misconceptions] out there."

Updated product tags and boxes featuring a new design for Maui Pineapple Co.'s extra sweet Maui Gold Pineapple hit grocery stores in January.

"The new product packaging better reflects Maui Pineapple's authentic Hawaiian heritage and values, and helps bring the magic of Maui to our customers on the mainland," Howard Nager, vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement.

Valentine's Day took on an added dimension this year when Wal-Mart, the nation's largest food retailer, introduced bagged "Pink Lady" brand apples to its produce departments.

The limited-time promotion was detailed by Pink Lady America Director of Marketing Alan Taylor, who told The Produce News that Wal-Mart "made available another option in its selection of Valentine's Day presents, a selection that already included flowers, gift baskets, personalized gifts, candy, fragrances and lingerie."

Ephrata, PA-based Four Seasons Produce Co. has enlisted the services of produce industry veteran Maggie Bezart to help recast the company's image and marketing efforts.

The strawberry history of Plant City, FL, began over a hundred years ago when the first railroad was extended to the western coast of the state.

Since that time it has evolved into one of the world's larger and more advanced producing areas.

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association, headquartered in Dover, was formed in 1982 as a way for growers to become "partners in research, promotion and member-community service."

Today, 16 million flats of strawberries are produced annually in the state. The association has also evolved tremendously over the years.