The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service announced Sept. 30 that Mexican government officials had signed an agreement to allow the importation of Hass avocados from California under certain conditions.

Coalinga, CA-based Harris Farms Inc. was issued a permanent injunction Sept. 30 barring the company from retaliating against any person who reports or testifies about sexual harassment. The injunction also orders specific relief to prevent possible future discrimination.

In January, a Fresno, CA, jury unanimously found Harris Farms liable for sexual harassment, retaliation and the constructive termination of farm worker Olivia Tamayo, and returned a $994,000 verdict in favor of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Ms. Tamayo.

Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms has begun shipping its iceless broccoli with the patented StePac system.

The main benefits of the system are its capabilities in cooling and reducing moisture loss, said Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations for Ocean Mist.

He said that the system would improve Ocean Mist's year-round iceless broccoli program "for the customers that are accustomed to our rigid quality standards that we strictly adhere to with our artichoke and full vegetable product line."

LA MIRADA, CA  If the produce industry changes its focus and alters the way it does business, it can double consumption of its products, according to Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the Washington, DC-based United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.

Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, recently announced that the company installed a hydrocooler in its Santa Fe Springs, CA, facility.

Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc. announced the appointment of Lynn Avery to the newly created position of director of packaging.

Mr. Avery, who joined Driscoll July 15, has 30 years of packaging experience, most recently as director of purchasing for Earthbound Farms. His experience also includes management roles with several Fortune 500 packaging companies and the management of supplier alliances for the Coca Cola Co.