"Duda Farm Fresh Foods continues its emphases on celery and celery hearts, both conventional and organic," said Nichole Towell, marketing development manager for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL. "Other products that are synonymous with the Duda name are radishes, sweet corn, Iceberg and Romaine lettuces, endive, escarole, Napa cabbage, bok choy and baby bok choy, green and red leaf lettuces, cilantro and parsley."

The Giumarra Cos., based in Los Angeles, announced the addition of JEANNINE MARTIN and BOB FAULKNER to its Giumarra Reedley division.

The current world record of for the longest bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, as documented by the World Records Academy based in Miami, stands at 169 feet. Associated Wholesale Grocers announced March 30 that it will be challenging the record by creating a 200-foot-long B.L.T. sandwich at its annual Spring Food Show April 27 in Kansas City, MO.

LOS ANGELES -- The Giumarra Cos. has announced that Taro (Tommy) Uchizono died Tuesday, March 22, in Los Angeles at the age of 89.

Mr. Uchizono was born March 22, 1922, and was a very well-known and respected figure within the North American produce industry.

Mr. Uchizono was a veteran of World War II, during which he was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fighting in Italy. After the war, he returned to Los Angeles and joined the produce industry. He was a founder of Bear Produce and Metro Produce, and also worked with Child Brothers.

Time will tell just how much actual damage Vidalia sweet onion fields sustained in the aftermath of a severe storm March 27 which pummeled portions of Georgia's Vidalia onion growing district with golf ball-sized hail.