Ryan Holterhoff, director of marketing and industry affairs for the Washington State Potato Commission in Moses Lake, WA, said the organization is coordinating a variety of promotional programs to strengthen awareness about potatoes from the Evergreen State.

FRESNO, CA — Crown Jewels Produce Co., here, “will be going hot and heavy on grapes” through the months of August, September, October and November,” said Atomic Torosian, an owner of the company. “Our tonnage is up a little bit this year,” quality is better than last year, and movement has been good.

Lawrence (Larry) W. Krempel, who spent 37 years in produce merchandising and procurement with the Kroger Co., died unexpectedly Aug. 3 at University Hospital in Cincinnati. He was 61. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Salinas Valley Romaine shippers are seeing surprisingly good demand from midwestern and eastern destinations, which normally rely on regional growing deals this time of the year. Lettuce shippers say demand is firm and steady. West Side melon shippers are seeing steady demand and slightly lighter supplies. California and New Mexico yellow onion shippers are experiencing steady and brisk demand, while red onion shippers were seeing strong demand and limited supplies.

WEATHER

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — The relationship between the ports of the Delaware River and the rolling hills of small-town Pennsylvania a half-hour away may not be readily apparent until one spots the 7-million-cubic-foot complex that houses the Manfredi companies, here.

This past April, Richard Pazderski, the former director of sales for Bland Farms LLC, joined Utah Onions Inc. as the company’s director of business development. “I think it’s going to be a great opportunity,” he told The Produce News July 17. “There’s a very good team in place. The [company] is in a unique stage in its growth.”