RIO RICO, AZ -- The 39th annual convention of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, held here Nov. 29-Dec. 1, was memorable for several reasons: It was the swan song of departing President Lee Frankel, it brought more than 650 attendees to this southern Arizona location that is the hub of winter vegetable production, and it featured a strong educational session that touted the importance of Mexican produce for four U.S. retail chains.

&IRVINE, CA -- Working to add a new shade of green to consumers' holiday menus, the Hass Avocado Board has launched an integrated marketing initiative encouraging consumers to incorporate avocados into their December holiday meals.

Avocado recipes and photos from the Chilean Avocado Importers Association are appearing on television and in the food pages of some of the nation's leading newspapers.

"Mr. Food," a syndicated television program broadcast in more than 150 markets across the United States, featured Chilean Hass avocados in its Oct. 18 episode and will present another segment on the item on Dec. 13. The pair of two-minute segments features footage of Chilean Hass avocado groves as Mr. Food talks about the Chilean season and the availability of Chilean Hass avocados for fall and winter meals.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- The Philadelphia chapter of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market held their 23rd annual ladies night party Dec. 1, here in Atlantic City's Tropicana Hotel & Casino.

About 185 people attended the party, which included a reception, dinner and dancing.

Chuck Zambito of Zambito Produce Sales Inc. in Woodbury, NJ, organizes the party every year in a volunteer effort. Mr. Zambito is president of the Philadelphia chapter of United Fresh.

Retailers are proud of the displays that were featured in their produce departments during the fall months, September through November, and National Apple Month wants to see the results of each retailer's efforts.

So NAM has announced its call for entries for its 2007 fall display contest in retail supermarkets and military commissaries. More than 50 winners will be named in the contest, with awards varying from $1,000 to $25 in cash prizes or charitable donations.

WASHINGTON -- Some small- and medium-sized farm operations are protesting the government's recent move to consider adopting California's leafy greens marketing agreement nationwide in the shape of a federal marketing program.

In comments sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, groups such as the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the Cornucopia Institute said that the metrics applied under California's marketing agreement suit large- scale farms that cater to fresh-cut processors rather than smaller growers of whole-leaf vegetables.