ISELIN, NJ -- Bill Donahoe, president and chief operating officer of Foodtown Inc., announced at the end of July the formation of Allegiance Retail Services LLC. This new company will function like a co-op by providing retail services to current members of Foodtown as well as various independent retailers seeking the benefits of co-op membership while retaining the ability to operate under their existing banners.

Dave Yeager

An Aug. 12 merger between Colorado-based Farm Fresh Direct LLC and two out-of-state potato shippers has FFD laying claim to being the largest grower-owned fresh potato shipper in the United States.

In July, McDonald’s announced plans to change its traditional Happy Meal through a new initiative called “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices.”

Retired Lt. Col. Jesse Raybourn, former vice president of information services for the Produce Marketing Association, died Thursday, July 21, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. The Exton, PA, resident was 86.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has relaxed its fumigation procedures for Peruvian asparagus imported into the United States, according to Frank Ramos, a customs broker and president of The Perishable Specialist, based in Miami, FL.

With the passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, is there still a need for a national leafy greens marketing agreement?