Gary Caloroso, a veteran public relations executive with long ties to the produce industry, has joined GolinHarris as executive director, a new position at the Los Angeles-based communications firm. He will lead and manage several client accounts in the practice's growing food and beverage arena, and will report to Samantha Sackin, executive director and leader of the office's consumer practice.

At the January board meeting for California Citrus Mutual, the full board accepted a marketing committee report that stated over 75 percent of the tree crop base are able to satisfy customer needs regarding the Produce Traceability Initiative.

The Oppenheimer Group, based in Vancouver, BC, announced Jan. 30 that it has entered into an exclusive new grower partnership with Blue Mountain Growers Inc., based in Milton-Freewater, OR. The agreement calls for Oppenheimer to market apples, cherries, plums and Italian prunes packed in the historic “Blue Goose” and “Blue Ore” labels.

Blue Mountain Growers produces in three climatically diverse but adjacent regions: the Walla Walla Valley, Grande Ronde Valley and the Columbia Basin.

Mark Munger

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego, CA, which grows strawberries year-round in several districts in Cali