ATLANTA -- An orange is an orange is an orange -- except when it isn't. When it or any other item in fresh produce is more is a determination made by those with their finger on the pulse of consumer tastes.

The 2005-06 PMA board of directors took office on Nov. 4 during the Produce Marketing Association's 2005 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta.

Chairman of the Board Janet Erickson, executive vice president, purchasing and quality assurance for Del Taco Inc. in Lake Forest, CA, was joined on the board by three other officers and 21 directors.

ATLANTA -- The U.S. market will continue to be a flourishing consumer market because of ongoing immigration and because baby boomers are having two children per couple, creating an "echo boom," according to Jeffrey Rosensweig, associate dean and director of the global perspectives program at Goizueta Business School at Emory University, here.

Asia, notably Japan, and Europe, will slow in population growth because many couples are having one child, he said. Markets in China and India will remain emerging markets.

ATLANTA -- Cookie Monster, the lovable Sesame Street character who got his name from his propensity to devour cookies in a frenzy after proclaiming "Me love cookies," made a guest appearance at the Sunkist Growers booth during the Produce Marketing Association international convention and exposition, here, Nov. 7.

He may never be the same.

The Produce Marketing Association's new chairman of the board, Janet Erickson, announced the creation of the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation during the closing general session of PMA's 2005 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta.

The scholarship honors Joe Nucci and his significant contributions to produce innovation in foodservice. Mr. Nucci, who died in July, was the president of Mann Packing Co. in Salinas, CA. He would have become PMA's chairman-elect at the convention.

EXTON, PA -- For his company, POM Wonderful LLC in Los Angeles, the category of fresh pomegranates and bottled pomegranate juices has grown by a factor of 10 in four years, according to Kurt Vetter, vice president of sales.