Plant breeder Syngentaannounced May 20 that it plans to construct a new state-of-the-art biotechnology research facility that will focus on issues like climate change, drought, crop productivity and plant performance.

The new facility will be located adjacent to Syngenta’s existing research campus in Research Triangle Park, NC. Construction on the $71 million facility, was scheduled to begin in early June.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL, is currently conducting a consumer promotion featuring Vidalia onions to target markets via Facebook, according to Nichole Towell, the company’s marketing development manager.

“So far the promotion has proved successful in terms of engagement and consumer retention and attraction,” she said. “During the first three weeks of June, Duda’s Facebook community grew by 66 percent, while consumer interaction has increased by 251 percent.”

A year after settling into a new facility, Miedema Produce Inc., located in Hudsonville, MI, is getting established therein, according to Todd Miedema, the company’s sales manager.

Getting settled “is really is going to help our efficiency and take everything to the next level,” Mr. Miedema told The Produce News June 13. “We are really enjoying it for new products and processing.” He wasn’t yet ready to announce some upcoming new products, but he did say, “The new facility has worked out really well. We are excited. It’s nice to have room and be creative with new things.”

With age comes wisdom. Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc., now in its 105th year of operation, has honed a fine edge on its operating philosophy.

“We sell a lot of interesting commodities, and they come in from all over the world,” said Nate Stone, the firm’s chief operating officer. The company moves product from the Detroit Produce Terminal. “If it’s available, we try to provide it on a year-round basis,” Mr. Stone said. The bulk of product is moved in the Detroit metropolitan area. “We have quite a bit of Canadian business,” he added.

Michigan’s climate and land yield a wide variety of agricultural products through a season.

Tyler Hodges, sales manager of Todd Greiner Farms, located in Hart, MI, said that his firm takes advantage of that opportunity with a diverse offering. Todd Greiner Farms’ corporate philosophy calls for “a good transition though the year” and a shipping schedule that is “not overwhelming,” he said.

Procacci Bros. Sales Corp. successfully uses computer software by Produce Pro to improve its operations.

Procacci, a major wholesaler, repacker and distributor, continually faces the challenge of keeping each segment efficient and compliant with new regulations and industry initiatives.