NOGALES, AZ -- Retailers need to be focused on their businesses to be competitive in an environment of blurred retail channels, according to speakers at the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas annual Nogales Produce Convention & Invitational Golf Tournament, here, Dec. 1-3.

Rick Smith, director of produce for the Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets Inc. supermarket chain, told the audience that regional players such as Save Mart and Wegman's have found a niche in the marketplace.

There is a play-on-words joke about being "outstanding/out standing in your field." Laura McIntosh has managed to meld the concept into her unique "Bringing It Home" television cooking show.

Everyone agrees that the fresh produce business operates on a supply-and-demand basis. The problem is that there are many factors that affect both the supply volumes and the demand trends.

Mother Nature is included in the nearly unending list of issues. And she proved her power in the two previous hurricane seasons.

Put a watermelon seed on your forehead and make a wish before it falls off.

Make a wish on the first star you see at night.

Make a wish on a wishbone with another person.

Make a wish before blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.

Making wishes is nothing more than a superstition, but it is still entertaining and fun.

Novazone, a leading provider of ozone-based solutions that improve the freshness and safety of food and water, has announced the appointment of Patrick Whalen as vice president of worldwide sales.

In his new position, Mr. Whalen is responsible for all aspects of sales and field application engineering. Reporting to Paul White, Novazone's president and chief executive officer, Mr. Whalen will be located at the company's headquarters in Livermore, CA.

Sysco Corp., one of North America's larger foodservice marketers and distributors, announced that Catherine Kayser has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Sysco Food Services of Seattle Inc., a Sysco subsidiary located in Kent, WA.

Ms. Kayser, who is currently executive vice president of the Seattle operation, will assume her new duties Jan. 1. She succeeds current President and Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Jenson, who will retire at the end of the calendar year following a distinguished 33-year career in the foodservice industry.