Blueberry volume numbers are increasing in 2011 for Stemilt Growers Inc., headquartered in Wenatchee, WA. “We will be up 10 to 15 percent this year largely due to new plantings coming into production,” said Communications Manager Brianna Shales. And she said Kyle Mathison, the company’s sole blueberry grower, is the reason the numbers are looking so good.

“He’s the blueberry king,” Ms. Shales told The Produce News June 10.

Curry & Co., headquartered in Brooks, OR, is set to market an increased blueberry volume in 2011. “Our blueberry program continues to grow, and we expect to have an increase by as much as 25 percent due to more acreage and higher yields than 2010,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News June 8. “We’ve added to our California tonnage, and we expect Oregon to continue to increase.”

Ruthven, ON-based greenhouse grower Clifford Produce was the recipient of awards at two separate events, the 2011 PAC Leadership Awards Gala at the Toronto Congress Centre and the Coolest Cucumber competition at the Leamington Agricultural Fair in Leamington, ON.

Stephen Whitney, who has served as the president and chief executive officer of the Canadian-based Dispute Resolution Corp. since its inception in 1999, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2011.

Salinas, CA-based D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California and the Bounty Hunter Monster Truck of 2Xtreme Racing have teamed up for a design contest, the winner of which will inspire the Bounty Hunter’s new paint job. The contest is part of the two entities’ Racin’ For a Cure partnership, which combines the sport of racing with the healthy lifestyle supported by D’Arrigo’s “Andy Boy” fresh vegetables.

Two of CHEP’s customers have signed committments to the firm, one extending its contract and another signing a multi-year pallet-pooling contract with CHEP.

Shiloh Produce Inc.

Shiloh Produce Inc., an onion packer-shipper, extended its contract for shipping platform services with CHEP, an industry leader in pallet and container pooling solutions.

Based in Hatch, NM, the firm uses CHEP pallets to transport its yellow, red and white onions from processing facilities to supermarkets, wholesale clubs and distributors across North America.