Ernie Tavilla

“The wholesale side of produce is learning its place in the industry,” Ernie Tavilla, president of P. Tavilla Co.

Each year, the Pack Family Foundation gives top college students the opportunity to learn from industry leaders through one-on-one student-mentor relationships.

The Pack Family Foundation, created by Jay and Ruthie Pack, funds the Career Pathways program and has sent some of the best and brightest college students from agriculture and food programs to the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition for the past eight years.

Bonipak, a leading produce grower based in Santa Maria, CA, provided lettuce to several high-profile restaurants in Atlanta during the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit convention. The promotion included table tents and buttons for the “Bonipak Wedge” salad.

“We are always looking for ways to optimize our marketing efforts,” Mitch Ardantz, managing partner of Bonipak, said in a press release. “Trade shows are a cornerstone of Bonipak’s marketing, and it’s important to figure out what we can do to leverage our attendance.”

The Eagle, ID-based Idaho Potato Commission’s retail superhero campaign came to life — literally — when industry professionals hobnobbed with bobblehead-like Fearless Field Force members at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit event in Atlanta in October.

The Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market’s 26 distributors will host allied industry Nov. 16 for an export seminar.

The invitation-only event will include ocean freight companies and a score of other similar international trade service providers in addition to business and political leaders. The goal of the event is to create a discussion between attendees and Philadelphia’s produce wholesalers about the opportunities and challenges involved in developing a fresh fruit and vegetable export program from the market. The 700,000-square-foot market opened June 5.

The Vidalia Onion Committee’s 2011 Sweet Vidalias & Country Music promotion featured a retail display contest that drew more than 100 entries from across the United States. The winning display entry came from Charles Hanks, manager of a Harvey’s store in Tallahassee, FL. As a result, Mr. Hanks won the grand prize Ultimate VIP Trip to Nashville, TN, the Music City.