APTOS, CA -- The Chilean Avocado Importers Association made the perfect pass to more than 25,000 Boise State University and Texas Christian University fans along with several of the association's VIP invited guests.

Through a partnering sponsorship with the Fiesta Bowl, college football enthusiasts learned more about Hass avocados from Chile and tasted them first hand at both the Fiesta Bowl's college football's biggest party and Stadium Club tailgate pre-game extravaganzas.

Supervalu Inc., which is one of the larger supermarket companies in the country, has made it known that it plans to nearly double the number of Save-A-Lot stores that it operates over the next five years. Currently, it operates about 1,200 stores from coast to coast in urban, rural and suburban environments.

Save-A-Lot is a smaller-format, discount chain that claims to offer savings of as much as 40 percent compared to a conventional grocery store. It offers limited SKUs throughout the store, including in the produce department.

Diesel fuel prices are not expected to climb to the dizzying heights reached in 2008, but after declining in 2009, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has predicted increases over the next two years.

The National Watermelon Association will "kick off" the domestic watermelon season when its 96th annual convention returns to the state of Texas for the first time in 17 years.

The convention, which will have a National Football League theme, will take place Feb. 17-21 at The Fairmont Dallas and will offer several unusual and even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for football fans, Bob Morrissey, executive director of the association, told The Produce News.

ORLANDO, FL -- Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the National Mango Board for three-year terms beginning immediately and ending Dec. 31, 2012.

Produce prices are high, business is competitive and independent retailers are prospering in the Kansas City area, according to local industry leaders.