NOGALES, AZ -- "We are continuing to try to change" the common perceptions in the United States regarding Mexican-grown produce "and highlight the fact that whether they know it or not, for a lot of the winter, they are eating Mexican produce," said Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce Sales Inc., who is a member of the public relations committee of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here. "A lot of [consumers] never in their dreams would think that 60 percent of the fruits and vegetables they are eating in the wintertime are from Mexico."

Sam Lipot retired Oct. 21 after spending more than half a century in the produce industry.

Mr. Lipot, 64, got his start 52 years ago in the industry working beside his grandfather Sam Pettello at the family's fruit markets in the Pennsylvania towns of Elysburg and Marion Heights.

He worked for Laneco/Food Lane in Allentown, PA, for 35 years, during which time he saw that chain grow to 30 stores from four stores.

PHILADELPHIA -- Produce industry women in the Philadelphia area are being encouraged to join a "NEW" organization, that is, the Network of Executive Women, which involves women from the food and retail business sectors.

The Greater Philadelphia Area Network of Executive Women held its first meeting Nov. 15 in Philadelphia. Total participation was about 250, including a dozen or so men. A handful of women with ties to the produce industry was present, with one being a key figure in the meeting.

Peviani SpA in Milan, Italy, and Tali Grapes in Lachish, Israel, have been appointed to market new seedless grapes developed by Bakersfield, CA- based Sun World International LLC. The nomination of the Italian and Israeli companies enables The group of firms to export and market fruit from the new varieties produced by licensed Sun World producers throughout the respective countries, Sun World Senior Vice President David Marguleas said in a statement.

Oshkosh, WI-based flexible packaging company Curwood Inc. has been named Supplier of the Year 2006 for Primary Packaging by Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a leading supplier of cranberry- and grapefruit-based drinks, sauces and sweetened dried products.

Ocean Spray Chief Executive Officer Randy Papadellis praised Curwood for its "penchant to commit resources to drive Ocean Spray's business to new levels using innovative packaging technologies."

NOGALES, AZ -- They are young. Their average age is 25, which may just be the youngest average age for the key people in any brokerage in Nogales. Yet Alvaro Obregon, his brother Enrique Obregon and their friend Tony Mu?oz bring years of experience in various fields to bear in running IPR Solutions LLC, here.