Gourmet Trading Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, expects to clip asparagus grown in Washington from April 9 through June 20. Julia Inestroza, marketing director, said acreage and product volume continue to increase from operations in the Evergreen State.

The company packs asparagus in its facility in Pasco, WA, under the “Gourmet” and “Green Giant Fresh” labels. “But we are doing some private label as well,” she told The Produce News April 9. Labor has not been an issue at the location. “We have over a 70 percent labor-retention rate at our facility,” Ms. Inestroza said.

Anthony M. DeAngelis, director, Northeast division for Christopher Ranch, a leading Gilroy, CA-based producer, packer and shipper of garlic and other specialty products, told The Produce News that the company will be continuing its promotion of its newly branded “Monviso” heirloom garlic variety at the New England Produce & Floral Council Expo in Foxboro, MA, on April 25. Mr. DeAngelis will be meeting and greeting people at Christopher Ranch’s exhibition booth No. 199 at the NEPC expo.

By Bob Besix, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Country Fresh Mushroom Co., headquartered in Avondale, PA, said the company is exhibiting at the upcoming New England Produce Council Produce & Floral Expo, being held this year at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, on April 25.

Bill Litvin, regional sales manager for Giorgio Fresh Co. in Temple, PA, said that the company feels that it is always important to work with the regional produce trade councils to promote the company’s mushroom category.

Dawn Gray, a well-respected produce industry expert, announced the creation of her own firm, Dawn Gray Global Consulting.

The international consulting firm will represent clients across the globe and help them with their strategic growth plans. Ms. Gray will also coach executive teams on effective internal and external communications, building their brands and executing effective sales and marketing plans that get results.

Chad Roberts, president of Andrus & Roberts Produce Co.Asparagus production and marketing is set to