Jeannine Martin, a sales and marketing professional with 35 years of experience in the produce industry, most recently as sales manager of Fowler, CA-based Simonian Fruit Co., has joined Fruit Patch in Dinuba, CA, on the sales desk.

An announcement of the appointment was made March 5 in a Fruit Patch press release.

A retaliatory tariff on California grapes imposed last year by Mexico in response to a U.S. ban on cross-border trucking cost the industry $43 million in 2009, and industry leaders as well as a congressional coalition are pushing hard to get the situation resolved before the start of the 2010 grape season, according to Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League in Fresno, CA.

VISALIA, CA -- Notwithstanding the current state of the economy in California and nationwide, California Citrus Mutual's annual Citrus Showcase, held here March 4, saw near-capacity attendance for the luncheon and sold- out exhibit space for the trade show. Furthermore, there is a waiting list for exhibitors who hope to participate in future Citrus Showcase trade shows, according to Joel Nelsen, president of CCM.

Citing the destruction of infrastructure in Chile as a result of the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27, a coalition of Delaware River port operators has petitioned U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for a suspension of the April 10 date that regulates the importation of Chilean grapes by the United States. Members of the Desert Grape Growers League of California, however, are opposed to such a move.

It's a welcome change for California avocado growers and retailers alike. After two successive years of light California crops, the 2010 crop has a heavy set and is estimated at a volume two and a half to three times that of the 2009 crop.

The National Apple Month program announced the winners of the fall 2009 National Apple Month retail and military display contests. The annual contest, which jump-starts the domestic apple industry's marketing season, provided retailers and the apple industry with increased sales and gave consumers easy access to great-tasting, good-for-you apples and partner products of Marzetti Caramel Apple Dips, Smucker's natural peanut butter and JIF natural peanut butter.