The 2012 N.G.A. Show will feature a new collaboration with the Produce Marketing Association that will bring more than 20 produce companies into 2,500 square feet of exhibit space on the expo floor called the PMA Produce Pavilion.

Purfresh Inc., a market leader of ocean transport and supply chain management technologies that optimize the quality and safety of fresh produce, announced Feb. 6 the appointment of Brian Westcott as president and chief executive officer. A results-driven leader with more than 25 years of experience in operations, strategic management and corporate development for both Fortune 500 and early-stage companies, Mr. Westcott joins Purfresh to build upon the company's leadership position and growth. Mr. Westcott succeeds Mr. David Cope, who will chair the company's scientific advisory board.

Holtzinger Fruit, a Washington state fruit packer-shipper-marketer announced the hiring of Lawna Wyatt and Sandra Steineke, and the promotion of Scott Hanses to chief operating officer.

Village Farms' web site has undergone a change highlighting a fresh approach with the company's new logo and branding strategy. Recently, Village Farms launched its Taste the Name strategy for all its produce packaging, depicting flavor profiles graphically on product labels in large text.

"The Biggest Loser" brand will debut this fall in produce departments nationwide, thanks to a multi-year licensing agreement between Giraffe Interactive and NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group. The goal of the agreement is to create promotional programs that leverage the power of “The Biggest Loser” as a lifestyle brand to promote the increased sale of fresh produce.

Nelly Yunta, vice president of U.S. imports, customs brokerage and consulting for Customized Brokers, Crowley Maritime Corp.’s logistics group, told The Produce News in mid-January that the primary imported products the company was clearing were blueberries.

“We are in the middle of the season, and from what we’re seeing, we believe that there is a higher volume of imports this year,” said Ms. Yunta. “We’re definitely expecting a growth.”