California Giant Berry Farms has a new look for its packaging and a new way to engage consumers when purchasing its berries at retail.  The Watsonville, CA-based company has added quick response codes to its clamshells, which can be scanned with a smartphone for a chance to win prizes throughout the season.

Once consumers scan the QR code on California Giant berry clamshells, they are directed to a micro-site (www.calgiant.com/win) that invites them to enter for a chance to win a weekly prize of $100. Winners will be announced each week on www.facebook.com/calgiant.

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council held its annual dinner dance Saturday, Jan. 29, and introduced its new board, led by Chairman Jeff Miller, who is a partner at Westlake Produce Co. in Los Angeles.
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The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, an organization that represents U.S. companies involved in importing fresh Peruvian asparagus, announced Feb. 15 that it will be led by co-chairmen in 2011.

Chris Martin of Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co. will serve as co-chairman for the West Coast and Walter Yager of Miami-based Alpine Marketing is co-chairman for the East Coast.

For the third straight year and the 10th time since 1981, Loop Cold Storage Co. and Loop Fresh Produce LP in McAllen, TX, are expanding their facilities.

The move is a result of the increased volume of Mexican product making its way across the Texas border.

The Oppenheimer Group, headquartered in Vancouver, BC, has added a new person to its sales team. DAVID FIGLIOLA, whose first day was Jan. 4, brings a decade-and-a-half of industry experience to his role in the full-service marketer's Houston location. He will sell the full line of Oppenheimer items to customers in Texas and the surrounding states.

WASHINGTON — In the early-morning hours of Feb. 19, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution without an amendment that would have zeroed out funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program.

The House approved the temporary funding bill (H.R. 1) by a 235-189 vote, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting against the bill. The resolution expires March 4, leaving the Senate little time to craft its own bill, which may result in another resolution or a government shutdown.