FreshXperts, a leading consortium of fresh industry experts, announced that Dean Fahselt has joined the consultancy as value-added specialist. He will assist FreshXperts' clients as they seek to identify and implement value-added opportunities for their produce lines.

ANAHEIM, CA — Epitomizing what a motivational speech is supposed to be, Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez, a "Dancing with the Stars" winner and an actor, had an audience of hundreds of produce professional captivated as he told his life story during the opening breakfast session of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Southern California Expo, held July 17 at the Disneyland Hotel Convention Center, here.

Publications issued by the states of Washington and Oregon detail the importance of onion production in the Pacific Northwest.

LaSalle, CO — While Strohauer Farms in LaSalle, CO, has kept its overall acreage steady over the past year, it has upped planting in specific categories.

According to Marketing Director Tanya Fell, “Specialty fingerling potato acreage is up slightly as well as the organic acreages due to market demands.

LOG ANGELES — Things haven’t changed a lot in the past year at VIP Marketing Inc., here, and considering that things changed for the worse for a number of Los Angeles area produce companies over the last year, not much change can be considered a good thing.

Commenting July 18 on Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers' 2012 cherries, Marketing Director Scott Marboe said the season has reached the halfway point, and fruit from the high orchards is peaking.

He went on to say that weather has been a factor but added, "We are starting to get in to those orchards we were waiting for."