Cool early-summer temperatures in Mexico have combined with colder-than- usual winter temperatures in Peru to create a demand-exceeds-supply situation this summer for asparagus.

J.P. Dulcich & Sons is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with an increased merchandising program that should boost retail sales of its products.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX -- As is increasingly the case these days when producers and purveyors of produce gather, food safety was an inescapable topic on the opening day of the 2010 Texas Produce Association convention, set to run Aug. 11-13 at the Sheraton Beach Hotel, here.

Several staffing changes have recently taken place in the produce ranks at Montreal-based retailer Metro Inc., one of Canada's larger retail chains, according to a company official.

Bernadette Hamel, who formerly served as Metro’s vice president of produce procurement and merchandising in Quebec, told The Produce News Aug. 2 that she was no longer responsible for merchandising and would now be in charge of national procurement. Her new title is vice president of national negotiation and procurement for produce.

The 2010 California avocado crop is much larger than the previous year's crop and will run much later into the season. For that reason, the California Avocado Commission in Irvine, CA, will continue its marketing programs well into the fall this year, according to Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing.

Created by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association as a pilot program, the Passion for Produce program provides rising stars within the produce industry the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the supply chain through mentorship and participation in various events.

Passion for Produce is meant as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for participants to learn about the produce industry in an interactive setting while receiving an education on key aspects of the produce supply chain from field to fork.