The rails at the port of Quincy, WA, are humming. Cold Train, operated by Rail Logistics of Overland Park, KS, has developed a transportation model that allows fresh producers in the Pacific Northwest to take advantage of refrigerated rail service that moves commodities to Chicago and points beyond in a timely and efficient manner.

“We have a different model,” said Pat Boss, public affairs consultant to both the port of Quincy and Cold Train.

At the annual fall San Gennaro Feast of Los Angeles, held Sept. 28-30, the focus, in addition to raising funds to benefit children in Southern California, is certainly the amazing Italian food.

Hronis Inc. was pleased to be included again this year with its highly requested "Hronis Ranch" table grapes, and to find their grapes called upon as a key ingredient in one of the events' most-requested beverages.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Re-invention was the key to growing Trader Joe’s from a glorified regional convenience store to a nationwide specialty retailer, and that might just be the most important thing in the supermarket business.

Los-Angeles based Giumarra Wenatchee announced the addition of GENE LOUDON to its sales team on Nov. 19.

Mr. Loudon has been in the produce industry for over 25 years, with experience in all aspects of the Northwest tree fruit industry, including conventional, organic and sliced products.

Wish Farms of Plant City, FL, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. But the company is not sitting on its laurels. One of the state’s larger grower-shippers of strawberries, blueberries and vegetables, Wish Farms continues to blaze new trails in produce.

The company began in New York City 90 years ago as Wishnatzki & Nathel, a partnership that lasted decades. After an amicable split, what is now Wish Farms continued as Wishnatzki Farms until a rebranding effort launched the new image.

Oregon’s 2012 potato harvest has gone well and is approaching completion. Bill Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission, said he is pleased with results. “Quality is high,” he told The Produce News Oct. 29. “Size is a little larger than normal, product is available and Thanksgiving is almost here. People need to get their Thanksgiving dinner potatoes.”