Alejandra Pineda, a 22-year-old senior at Michigan State University, began her internship with Southern Specialties in Pompano Beach, FL, in early May. She is now working in the procurement department.

"My introduction to Gary James, COO of Southern Specialties, was during the PMA Fresh Summit in Houston, Texas, in 2007," said Ms. Pineda. "The Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways scholarship program brings agriculture and food marketing students and faculty from select colleges and universities to the event, and I was fortunate to be one of the chosen students."

Brett Burdsal, who was recently hired as a marketing manager for Wenatchee, WA-based Columbia Marketing International, has hit the ground running with his new responsibilities.

"We're very happy to have Brett on board," Vice President of Marketing Bob Mast told The Produce News.

SALINAS, CA -- Health officials and the fresh produce industry are awaiting further word about the cause of an episode in Washington state where 10 people were sickened by an E. coli O157:H7 infection between mid-May and May 29.

Though inconclusive, Washington state health officials have pointed to Romaine lettuce as a possible source of the E. coli.

WASHINGTON -- Baja California tomato shippers were hoping to start shipping product to the United States as early as June 16 as businesses rushed to draw up certificates and other paperwork to meet the Food & Drug Administration's condition for adding the Mexican state to its all-clear list.

Indiana, New Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, have been cleared by the Food & Drug Administration regarding the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak associated with tomatoes.

As the June 16 issue of The Produce News was going to press, the Salmonella situation relating to tomatoes was still very unsettled, but growers, shippers, wholesalers and retailers were optimistic that normalcy would soon return to the marketplace.

Gary Margolis, president of Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales Inc. in Boca Raton, FL, was reached at his Arkansas facility June 11 as his firm was about to begin nationwide shipping of this year's tomato crop.