In an effort to provide a resource on leafy greens food safety for a wide range of audiences, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has developed a new website.

The website, www.safeleafygreens.com, operates in conjunction with the organization's primary site at www.lgma.ca.gov but provides information and resources in a less technical style so people can better understand all that is being done on the farm to make California leafy green safe.

With an increased demand for produce grown by environmentally friendly companies, sustainability initiatives are much talked about in the industry. For Ready Pac Foods, sustainability goes beyond environmentally responsible practices to encompass social responsibility and ultimately long-term economic viability.

Walter Yager, chief executive officer of Alpine Fresh Inc., located in Miami, said it is a simple case of supply and demand this year. More customers are looking for Peruvian asparagus, which is driving up the price. Consequently, he said, the product will be higher priced in U.S. supermarkets and it remains to be seen how U.S. consumers react to that. He said there is plenty of asparagus in Peru if the U.S. consumer will pay the price.

Indianapolis Fruit Co. hosted its 25th annual Golf Outing and Vendor/Product Showcase July 23-24. "Every year, we strive to make this yearly event a benefit to our vendors, as well as to our retail partners," said Antonia Mascari, marketing manager. "This year's event was the most actively attended show since its inception 25 years ago."

In addition to the record attendance of over 375 people, the show had over 100 vendor partners and 250 retail partners, as well as multiple community members linked to the company's official blog, The Produce Mom.

Wenatchee, WA-based Columbia Marketing International, a premier shipper of conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, announced the addition of KATHARINE GROVE to its marketing team on July 2.

The Grape Guys in Cutler, CA, which had an increase in grape volume last year due to some new plantings and one new grower, will be up in volume again for 2012. This year, most of the increases will be in newer, late-season varieties, according to President Shaun Ricks.

Vintage Red, Scarlet Royal and Autumn King are three varieties “that we have new acreage on, and those are all later varieties,” he said.