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John Schouten accepts newly created role at Ready Pac Produce

Ready Pac in Irwindale, CA, has announced that John Schouten has joined the executive team in the newly created role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, reporting directly to Larry Kern, president and chief executive officer.

Fran Boetes leaves Brooks to start his own firm

Fran Boetes, who oversaw sales, marketing, transportation and fruit purchasing for Brooks Tropicals as senior vice president of marketing and sales, left the company March 31 to begin his own management strategy and marketing consulting firm, Frans H. Boetes LLC, based in Miami.

2005 Mexican grape season looking similar to banner 2003 season

Last year was not a particularly good year for Mexican grapes, according to shippers and distributors in Nogales, AZ, who handle the products. Volume was down, and quality was problematic at times.

But two years ago was another matter. That, they say, was a banner year, with a combination of strong volume and outstanding quality that resulted in strong demand.

This year, there is an air of optimism among marketers of Mexican grapes as it appears that the 2005 crop will be very similar to 2003 with regard to both volume and quality.

Reinvigorated Vidalia Onion Committee stays focused on consumers

VIDALIA, GA " "My focus and the focus of the committee is the consumer, and if they ask their produce manager for Vidalias, they will bring them in," said Jeffery Hall, manager of the Vidalia Onion Committee, here.

And he has big plans to reach consumers, making heavy use of television appearances and magazine coverage.

PMA releases safe produce handling messages in Spanish

Since 1998, the Produce Marketing Association, based in Newark, DE, has addressed food safety at the consumer level through its financial support of the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to educating consumers at home and at work about safe food handling.

During PMA?s Fresh Summit 2004 in Anaheim, CA, PMA and the PFSE unveiled produce-specific safe handling messages for consumers; now, these valuable consumer-education tools have been released in Spanish.

CMI grower Apple Citizen of the Year

Columbia Marketing International, a Wenatchee, WA-based distributor of premium-quality apples, pears and cherries, has announced that Mike Wade, general manager of Columbia Fruit Packers, has been named this year?s Apple Citizen of the Year.

The award began in 1981; the recipient is chosen by a group of apple industry representatives.

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