Oxnard, CA-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods hired SUSAN NORITAKE as its director of fresh-cut sales on July 9.

LOS ANGELES — It is widely recognized that unemployment is currently high in the United States and that unemployment among young people under the age of 25 is particularly high. Even college graduates are finding it more difficult to get a job than has been the case historically.

Some small business owners around the country tell of receiving hundreds of applications for every job opening.

Yet, there are produce companies in the Los Angeles area that advertise for good-paying jobs and get few applications.

Produce Alliance LLC, a produce management services group specializing in the procurement and distribution of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, announced the hiring of Melany S. Jolly as executive vice president, as well as the opening of a new flagship office in Salinas, CA.

Effective June 11, 2012, Ms. Jolly returned to the industry after a severe skiing injury forced her to take a year hiatus in 2011. She brings over 30 years of produce, grocery and broadline distribution experience to Produce Alliance.

WASHINGTON — While you were sleeping, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee marked up its version of the 2012 farm bill during the more than 15-hour marathon session.

By a vote of 35-11, the committee approved H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform & Risk Management Act, three weeks after the Senate approved its bill.

Rebecca Sturvist, Mary Pezzini and Tiffany DiTullio. (Photos courtesy of the GSA)

COMMERCE, CA — Paul Villa, chairman of Great West Produce Inc., here, recently participated in a benefit concert “where he played the guitar and sang a few solos” to benefit a charity “that supports homeless veterans,” according to his son, Sean Villa, the company’s president.