Darci Eckermann, formerly vice president of marketing and business development for The Sholl Group in Minneapolis, has been promoted to senior vice president.

She will lead the company's aggressive growth plans by overseeing sales, marketing, safety and quality systems and partner relations, for both the licensed and value-added business segments.

Included in the exorbitant costs that fruit and vegetable growers currently face are the third-party audits associated with food safety. The problem has even been tagged "audit fatigue" by industry professionals. But tomato representatives from Florida and California are now attempting to find relief from the condition.

SHERMAN OAKS, CA -- Mark Tompkins is the new director of domestic sales for Sunkist Growers, part of a realignment of responsibilities as John McGuigan leaves his position as vice president fresh fruit sales at the end of this year, announced Russ Hanlin, Sunkist's senior vice president of sales and marketing.

HOUSTON -- Consumer research and analysis of scan data reveal that the fresh-cut category continues to be in a very strong growth mode, and produce suppliers should continue to look for new opportunities in this arena.

At least that was the major take-home point during a workshop at the recent Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, here, that covered the shopping and buying habits of American consumers.

Selah, WA-based Rainier Fruit Co. recently announced that it expects to market over 500,000 euro cartons of Honeycrisp apples during the 2007-08 shipping season, a significant increase over last year.

Due in part to young orchards coming into production, this year's crop is also producing exceptionally large fruit, resulting in good promotion opportunities. Moreover, supplies should run through March, a full two months longer than the 2006 crop.