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As consumption of fresh pineapple increases throughout the nation, Maui Pineapple Co. is making its extra-sweet Maui Gold pineapple available for purchase on the Internet.

Earlier this month, the company launched a new Internet promotion to boost sales of its Maui Gold pineapple. Over the next several months, the company will use a special promotional tag on over 4 million Maui Gold pineapples offering consumers up to a $10 savings when purchasing pineapples on-line at www.mauipineapple.com through Dec. 31.

Diamond Fruit Growers Inc., based in Odell, OR, has named Al Gosiak as its new chief executive. Mr. Gosiak, who is now on board full time in the position, was initially hired May 22. During a transitional period, he phased out his responsibilities as president of Pendleton Grain Growers in Umatilla County.

PGG is a 2,400-member grower cooperative with extensive experience in seed growing and cleaning. Under his 12 years of leadership, the cooperative made significant strides to produce and market biodiesel made from waste grease and oilseed crops.

The 2006-07 tomato season was the last for Big Red Tomato Packers LLC.

The Ft. Pierce, FL-based grower-shipper, one of the larger tomato operations on the state's east coast, closed its doors in June after 30 years in business, said David Neill, Big Red Tomato Packers' managing partner.

Honeycrisp apples from Michigan are about to hit store shelves, according to the Michigan Apple Committee. Consumers can expect to see the Honeycrisp in supermarkets and farm markets soon.

Some growers have already started to harvest the Honeycrisp, about two weeks earlier than originally anticipated, Denise Yockey, the committee's executive director, said in a press release.