An agreement recently reached between Japan and Washington state eliminates delays associated with fumigating fresh cherries and should boost exports of the fruit to that Pacific Rim nation.

The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California in Salinas, CA, held its 71st annual golf tournament, fashion show and dinner-dance June 25-27.

This event raises funds for the Grower-Shipper Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps support local educational, training, scholarship and leadership programs, community outreach, and philanthropic endeavors.

Golf tournament events were held Thursday, June 25, at Corral de Tierra Golf & Country Club and continued over three days ending Saturday, June 27, with a post-tournament brunch and awards ceremony.

Sweet Clover Produce began moving a good size mix of white onions out of the Pacific Northwest July 20, and Sales Manager Bill Brownfield said that reds would start shipping July 27. "The whites are grown by Grotz Bros. of Hermiston (OR)," Mr. Brownfield said July 10. "They are our summer growers and produce whites, reds, sweet yellows and yellows," he added. "The whites this year have a wide range of sizing, with pre-packs in mediums, jumbos and colossal.

Dominion Citrus Ltd. has sold two of its four stalls at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto.

The board of directors of Fruit Patch Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Wallace as president and chief executive officer, effective July 13.

Geno Valdes, president of Sunburst Farms 10 years ago, has returned to the Miami-based floral company, again as its president.

"I'm excited to be back and to work with so many good employees who were here when I left and know what it takes to achieve success in this industry," he told The Produce News.