Porterville, CA-based Homegrown Organic Farms announced that CRAIG MORRIS joined the company Aug. 20 as citrus category manager.

Mr. Morris began his agriculture career by working on his family’s citrus ranches and raising livestock for 4-H and Future Farmers of America. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from Fresno State University and previously worked for Gillespie Ag Services, The Kroger Co., LoBue Bros. Inc. and most recently as director of new business development at Pro Citrus Network.

Coinciding with the peak production periods of September and October, Jacov P. Dulcich & Sons in Delano, CA, will again be offering retailers a special table grape promotion for the fall season, with a specially designed label and a specific tie-in to Halloween.

Malena Produce Inc., a premier provider of eggplant, peppers and other premium produce during the winter, announced its first integrated marketing program.  

The campaign will include new trade and consumer web pages, publicity, social media and advertising, along with merchandising assistance and education on how receivers can maximize a growing category.

The Mushroom Council hosted a tasting event and met with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Aug. 21 to showcase a new concept of adding mushrooms to meat entrees.

The concept will expand the market for mushrooms with new uses in school meal programs, an untapped area for mushrooms, according to the council. Rather than replacing students' favorite foods, this "swapability" concept would develop meal options using mushrooms for a portion of the traditional protein component.  

GATINEAU, QC — Cultivating the Next Generation was the theme of QPMA’s 65th annual convention, held Aug. 16-18 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, here, where attendees experienced a weekend of nonstop networking and activity.

Engaging the next generation and succession planning were key themes throughout all the seminars and presentations. A recent QPMA membership survey indicated that succession planning was a key concern for the membership.