San Juan Bautista, CA-based Earthbound Farm has partnered with California State University at Monterey Bay and Maryland-based foodservice provider Sodexho to provide organic produce for the university's cafeteria year round.

Credited with joining the parties together is Kari Bernardi, project coordinator for the Monterey County Farm to School Partnership, which is the local chapter of a national movement that links schools and farms.

Salinas, CA-based Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., the corporate parent of Taylor Farms, has acquired a majority interest in Tracy, CA-based Pacific Pre-Cut Produce. The acquisition gives Taylor a seamless national retail deli production and distribution network.

Pacific Pre-Cut Produce's retail deli items include a variety of fresh-cut vegetables, such as green leaf lettuce, sliced onions and tomatoes, fresh green salad kits and front-case deli salads.

By all accounts, the 2005 California pomegranate crop is on the light side and it is running a couple of weeks later than usual.

However, in late August, the crop was still sizing and grower-shippers said that there is a good chance that the larger-sized fruit will make up for the lighter fruit set.

Apparently a combination of rain and heat reduced the set this year and has led to the unusual crop conditions.

With the Atkins Diet all but laid to rest, potatoes are making new consumer inroads this year, and Farm Fresh Direct LLC of Monte Vista, CO, has teamed up with seasoning giant Lawry's to present a new twist on spud cuisine.

Marketed under the brand "Lawrys Spice n Simple," the new line pairs five-pound bags of Farm Fresh Direct russet potatoes with one of three different flavor packets and recipes on how to prepare the new fare.

CHESHIRE, CT  Bozzuto's Inc. and IGA Hometown Wheels held their fifth annual Dream Ride Aug. 21 at the Farmington (CT) Club, raising over $60,000 for Connecticuts Special Olympics program.

Adam J. Bozzuto, founder of Bozzutos, had a dream to build a facility in Connecticut where special children could thrive and experience joy from the opportunities that the facility could provide. For the last five years, Bozzutos, in conjunction with IGA Hometown Wheels and local sponsors, has set forth to make that dream a reality with the annual Dream Ride.