Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. has announced the promotion of Billy L. Heller Jr. to the newly created position of chief executive officer of Florida-based Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. and California-based Pacific Triple E.

He joined the company in 2003 as chief operating officer where his focus was on implementing best practices in farm operations and food safety programs, establishing the "Sunripe" brand across the family of companies and consolidating the administrative functions.

TEANECK, NJ -- New York state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan showcased the Pride of New York marketing and promotional program March 28 to the members of the Eastern Produce Council at its monthly meeting, held here at the Glenpoint Marriott.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will address the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's conference and expo May 6-9 in Chicago.

United President Tom Stenzel told The Produce News late Wednesday, March 22 that the secretary's appearance "has just been confirmed" as the keynote speaker of the breakfast session Monday, May 8, where he will discuss a number of issues, including the farm bill.

Wawona Packing Co. LLC in Cultler, CA, has torn down its old 60,000-square-foot stone fruit packing facility and is in the process of building a new 180,000-square-foot facility in its place, according to Brent Smittcamp, the company's president.

Over the past three to five years, the company has "planted quite a bit of acreage," he said. The new orchards are now coming into production, so "we need a larger facility."

As part of the expansion, "we are adding three cold storage rooms," he said. "The remainder will be new offices and a new packingshed."

Did you ever miss your produce gross profit margin?

You are requested to appear in the boss's office. After entering, he or she winds up like a Major League Baseball pitcher and slams the door behind you so hard that several pictures pop off the wall.

Then the shouting starts and you are raked over the coals for some business matter your boss disliked.

You are shaken and frightened. Most of all, you are embarrassed since most of the yelling can be heard throughout the building.

This is just not your day, is it?

Los Angeles County health officials implicated lettuce in a hepatitis A outbreak on a movie set late last year, and now the law firm Marler Clark has filed lawsuits against a caterer and a lettuce distributor on behalf of sickened film crew members.

Workers on the set of "The Good German," a film starring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett, filed a lawsuit against Silver Grill Location Catering and Soleil Produce Inc., said the Seattle-based law firm. According to the suit, Soleil Produce supplied the pre-packaged baby greens on the California film set.