The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Bryn Fussell as its new director of membership and the executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. She replaces Sonia Tighe, who retired in September.

Fyffes, a global pineapple and banana producer, is adding a spooky, tropical twist to Halloween by inviting consumers to carve lanterns out of pineapples instead of pumpkins.

The Halloween lantern tradition began in Ireland, where turnips were originally used. When Irish immigrants brought the custom to America, pumpkins became the carving favorite. Now Fyffes is reviving the idea with a tropical twist.

Working with retailers, Fyffes is encouraging shoppers to buy, carve and enjoy pineapples this Halloween.

Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms has bolstered its ranks with industry veterans Russell Lamplugh, Roberto Van de Wyngard and Alex Rotan. 

The West is finally catching a bit of a break weather-wise. Cooler nights and drier afternoons have helped ease some insect pressure and dry out fields that were hammered by nearly 1.5 inches of rain earlier this month. That said, the impact of those storms is still being felt across the board. Lighter weights, increased trimming and quality concerns continue to affect many row crops as the Salinas season nears its end.

The International Fresh Produce Association will celebrate the season of fall flavors and festive traditions by participating in Halloween at the White House. This annual tradition welcomes thousands of children and families to trick-or-treat on the South Lawn. 

Drought conditions in Mexico’s main avocado-growing region in Michoacan that have hampered fruit size and volume the past couple of years eased this past summer, giving La Bonanza a positive outlook for the season ahead.