PHILADELPHIA -- New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus visited the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, here, Aug. 16 to meet with produce distributors and tour the market.

Mr. Kuperus was hosted by broker Chuck Zambito of Zambito Produce Sales in Woodbury, NJ, and accompanied by Al Murray, director of marketing and development for the department.

WASHINGTON -- A congressional panel has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission, for the first time, to investigate and compare between U.S. and foreign suppliers the costs of producing Navel oranges and lemons.

"It has come to the attention of the Committee on Ways & Means that certain U.S. citrus growers are concerned about the competitive conditions affecting certain segments of their industry," Rep. William Thomas (R-CA), chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, wrote in a letter to the trade commission.

SELAH, WA -- Replacing eight portable pear conditioning rooms with four permanent facilities, Blue Star Growers and Rainier Fruit Co. are "leaping ahead of the U.S. pear industry and current technology," according to Rainier Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter.

Ms. Wolter said in mid-July that the facility is the first of its kind in the industry, and she noted, "We see this as a long-term program.

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA -- With few exceptions, the women in downtown Medellin are dressed to kill.

In a four-day trip to Colombia, this was the closest threat to mankind that I witnessed.

This modern city -- overwhelmingly known in the United States for its dark association with the word "cartel" -- is very much alive, apparently safe and moving ahead.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- Dole retiree Gino Scialdone died Aug. 15 after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gherig's Disease. He was 75.

Mr. Scialdone retired from Dole in 2002 after more than 40 years of dedicated service.

The Oppenheimer Group in Vancouver, BC, announced the promotions of three of its employees.

Industry technology leader Doug Grant's role as the company's chief information officer has been expanded to the new position of vice president and chief information officer. In addition to his IT responsibilities, Mr. Grant will direct his efforts into other areas of Oppenheimer's business, including procurement and grower relations. He has led the company's IT initiatives for over a decade.