As April gets long in the tooth, the relatively seamless transition between onion production from Mexico and south Texas is just about complete, as producers from the Lone Star State anticipate a better second half of the season.

On the heels of its recent "Golden Oldies" series of point-of-sale graphics and collateral material distribution, Columbia Marketing International Corp. in Wenatchee, WA, is rolling out a new campaign at the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association convention and expo in Chicago April 30 - May 3.

According to CMI Director of Marketing Bob Mast, this most recent strategy combines eye-catching high-quality graphics with education, and it brings in elements of cross merchandising as well.

PHILADELPHIA - At an April 18 breakfast meeting in the grand Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia convened to discuss exporting goods from the Delaware Valley to Brazil and Chile.

A number of speakers addressed the opportunities in these South American markets, although no mention was made of southbound perishable exports. Tens of millions of boxes of refrigerated Chilean and Brazilian produce arrive each winter into the seaports of the Delaware Valley.

Frieda's Inc. in Los Angeles has announced its exclusive marketing agreement with BC Hot House Foods Inc. in Vancouver, BC, producers of premium products grown indoors in a hydroponic, climate-controlled environment.

Born in greenhouses resembling exclusive high-tech spas for plants, Friedas newest crop of produce receives natural sunlight, ventilation, plant nutrition and carbon dioxide exactly when it wants it.

WASHINGTON - The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced that Jenney Tenney, produce merchandiser for The Kroger Co.'s Great Lakes Division, will be the featured speaker at the 2005 Women in Produce reception during the United Produce Show at FMI, April 30-May 3 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The annual reception honors all women working in the produce industry, and recognizes one outstanding female industry leader.

California new potato growers and handlers from the Kern County district hope that their potatoes - dug, packed and shipped without moving into cold storage - really are a hot potato in a true marketing sense.

It is this rush to freshness that makes California new potatoes unique, since most potatoes marketed nationwide are done so out of storage.