From Jan. 1 until Feb. 28, national retailers will be participating in an apple promotion sponsored by the DeWitt, MI-based Michigan Apple Committee. In this "Warm Up to Michigan Apples" campaign, retailers must run three ads in that January-February 2007 time frame promoting bags of Michigan Red Delicious, Rome or Jonathan apples to enter.

Haun Potato Co. in Kansas City, KS, has continued its tradition of giving with a recent donation of potatoes to the Kansas City Salvation Army.

The donation -- 44,000 pounds of fresh-packed potatoes from the Red River Valley -- took place Dec. 8 and was part of the Salvation Army's "Christmas Food Basket" to help feed the area's homeless and needy families during the holiday season.

The first co-marketing program between the Hass Avocado Board and Melissa's/World Variety Produce in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month left no question that avocados have gone way beyond guacamole.

WASHINGTON -- With the new Congress reporting for duty in Washington, DC, this week, comprehensive immigration reform will be one of United Fresh Produce Association's top priorities.

"There is a window of opportunity in 2007 as both President Bush and the new Democratic leadership in the House and Senate are more aligned on the need for immigration reform than ever before," Robert Guenther, United Fresh's senior vice president for public policy, said in a message to United members.

TRENTON, NJ -- The New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health & Senior Services announced the formation of a Produce Safety Task Force to protect New Jersey consumers and help local producers adapt to anticipated new produce-safety standards in the wake of several recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

The task force includes representation from the two departments, produce and food industry leaders and Rutgers University's Food Policy Institute & Extension Service.

Maggie Bezart, founder of Maggie Bezart Marketing Services in Aptos, CA, has been named director of marketing for the Chilean Avocado Importers Association, according to Phil Henry of Henry Avocado Corp. in Escondido, CA, and vice chairman of the association. She started Jan. 1.

"The Chilean industry has made a commitment to have a full-time marketing director," said Mr. Henry. Ms. Bezart "is, of course, very experienced and very knowledgeable in the produce business. She has experience in marketing and in sales, so she is a terrific & choice for the avocado industry."