IRVINE, CA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture appointed new members to the federal Hass Avocado Board during the board's Nov. 28 meeting. The HAB board of directors then elected the new term's officers: Len Francis as chairman, Jim Donovan as vice chairman, Don Reeder as treasurer (re-elected) and Ed Figueroa as secretary (re-elected). The officers will serve a one-year term ending November 2008.

NOGALES, AZ -- At the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' board of directors meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4, members organized a selection committee to oversee the task of finding a candidate to fill the president's position for the association.

WASHINGTON -- Christopher Ranch Foods, based in Gilroy, CA, said that it has stopped sourcing fresh ginger from China after last summer's discovery of harmful pesticides and has switched to Brazilian varieties.

"No Chinese ginger will be brought in until they figure out what's going on" with the country's food-safety programs, said Bill Christopher, managing partner of Christopher Ranch. The company said that it now sources from Brazil half the year and Hawaii the other half, and it conducts its own tests for contaminants.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- With the Chilean fruit deal running two weeks late and the Brazilian grape deal over, Marc Solomon, president of Fisher Capespan, is anxiously awaiting the new year and the start of grape imports from South Africa.

Furthermore, "Spanish clementine volume is down. It's a frustrating time" for retailers and their importers, who are located along the Delaware River waterfront.

SALINAS, CA -- Tanimura & Antle knocked one out of the park for Father's Day. Now the company is at it again, providing its customers a great toolkit to feature Iceberg lettuce during the winter football season in its Get A Head In The Game! retail promotion.

The National Mango Board, based in Orlando, FL, participated as a sponsor at the Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 27 and 28 in Washington, DC, and took the opportunity to debut Jango Mango, its new mascot and mango ambassador. The marathon was comprised of two main events: Camp Miles (children's race) and the official marathon.