With his easygoing demeanor and soft-spoken words, it's hard to believe that Andres Ocampo can thrive in the sometimes-cutthroat world of produce.

But Mr. Ocampo, who is director of operations for the Plantation, FL-based Caliman International, has other qualities that enable him to lead the burgeoning company on its path of prosperity.

Zambito Produce Sales moved July 1 from its Audubon, NJ, office to Woodbury, NJ.

Chuck Zambito, company owner, said that the company will have more space in a modernized building. "I will still go to the Philadelphia market every day" to buy produce for his brokerage business, Mr. Zambito said. The company's new address is 44 Cooper St., Suite A, Woodbury, NJ 08096. The new phone number will be 856/686-4810, and the new fax number will be 856/686-4811.

Dovex Marketing Co., based in Wenatchee, WA, is expanding its facilities to include new controlled atmosphere facilities and advanced packinglines.

Company management said that the expansion will help the company support flexible packaging systems and customized organic programs.

"The construction of the new facilities reflect the implementation of Dovex's strategic direction to differentiate itself in the marketplace," said Tracy King, director of marketing at Dovex Marketing Co., which represents organic and conventionally grown fruit for Dovex Fruit Co.

Produce industry veteran Andy Siegel has teamed with Oxnard, CA-based Gills Onions to support the company's growing product lines. Mr. Siegel and his national sales team of Chicago-based Fresh Connect will support Gills Onions on a national level with sales training, sales meetings and trade show support.

The Florida citrus industry was delivered yet another blow June 30 when canker disease was discovered in trees at the University of Florida citrus research grove at UF's Indian River Research & Education Center near Fort Pierce.

It is the very place where research and study is conducted on ways to stop the disease.

The find means that more than 10,000 citrus trees on approximately 100 acres will be cut down and burned to prevent further spread of canker spores.

"Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill."

-- Robert Louis Stevenson, from his poem "Requiem"

To add to the poet's words: The produce man is home from the field. Joe Nucci died in his sleep late July 6 or early on the morning of July 7, leaving behind a loving family and a trail of friends from an industry he helped make better.

Mr. Nucci, president and chief executive officer of Salinas, CA-based Mann Packing Co. Inc., died of an undetected heart condition while vacationing with his family in Florida. He was 40 years old.