JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced Feb. 21 that in order to address the financial and operational challenges that have hampered its performance, the company and 23 of its U.S. subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The filings were made in the evening of Feb. 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

PHOENIX " A gathering of nearly 200 people attended the Fresh Produce & Floral Council?s second annual Arizona luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the Phoenix Crown Plaza Hotel, here. Kevin Easler of Sprouts Farmers Market, served as the emcee for the event, while Wal-Mart?s Bruce Peterson was the day?s keynote speaker.

No contaminants were found on fruits and vegetables tested by the Food & Drug Administration as part of a six-week bioterrorism drill, according to FDA officials.

?This is very good news," said Kathy Means, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association, who added that this just reinforces that levels of contaminants are either extremely low or non-existent on fruits and vegetables.

PHILADELPHIA Frank Weichec Jr. wasn't around to speak for himself for a story on his retirement. He was with his beautiful wife, Alice, cruising his 41-foot motor yacht off South Florida.

Instead, his son, Chip Weichec, hunkered down in Norm & Lou?s Restaurant, the social center of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, here, to discuss his father?s career.

Global Berry Farms, based in Naples, FL, announced the hiring of Janis McIntosh as associate marketing manager, a new position.

She will be located in Salinas, CA, and will be responsible for coordinating packaging, trade show, and consumer and trade marketing efforts.

PHILADELPHIA " The venue for a lunch meeting with The Produce News on Feb. 15 was a fitting scene for Bill Weyland. Across the street from the restaurant was the historic U.S. Customs House, quite relevant to the general manager of imports for DNE World Fruit Sales Inc., based in Ft. Pierce, FL. Mr. Weyland works from an office in North Brunswick, NJ.