Picture, if you will, a clear plastic container, similar to a clamshell but in the approximate shape and size of a 12-ouce drink, can or water bottle, filled with grapes or other fruit, and offered for sale in a vending machine. That describes an innovative new package concept being offered by F-D-S Manufacturing Co. in Pomona, CA.

Green Tree International, which has offices in Wenatchee, WA, is already moving onions into the pipeline. “We’re harvesting over-winters right now,” Sales Associate Shea Nanto told The Produce News.

It's summertime, which means baseball, fireworks and barbecues as well as the time of the year when everyone's inner farmer is released as they put in a few tomato plants in their backyard gardens and pretend they know what they are doing.

In aggregate, these millions of tomato plants produce tens of millions of tomatoes and affect commercial production. In addition, legitimate seasonal growers throughout the country — challenged by terrain and weather most of the year — see the summertime as their chance to put their thumbprint on the fresh produce industry.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has announced that Matt DeCarlo, president of Altar Produce Inc. in Calexico, CA, has been named West Coast chairman for the association.

Mr. DeCarlo assumes the position formerly occupied by Chris Martin, president of Gourmet Trading Co., who died suddenly July 23. The association joins the industry in grieving the loss of Mr. Martin.

Tosca Limited, a Green Bay, WI-based provider of reusable container pooling and logistics services to the food supply chain, announced that it has acquired the reusable plastic container division of Georgia-Pacific LLC. The acquisition expands the company's portfolio of products and services offered to customers in the produce, dairy, beverage and protein industries.

Harris Teeter is launching a campaign designed to bring salad bars to schools in the Harris Teeter market communities to support Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools. In collaboration with the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation, a founding partner of LMSB2S, Fresh Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, and nine additional produce suppliers, Harris Teeter will donate salad bars to at least 10 schools. These salad bars will benefit more than 5,000 students by providing them a healthy lunch option filled with fresh produce.