A hotter-than-usual October, followed by an early cold snap in November, has led to a fairly hot lettuce market on the early end of the California and Arizona winter vegetable deal.

The United Fresh Produce Association will honor the achievements and celebrate the career of industry icon Reggie Griffin with a special golf tournament and dinner, to be held Monday, Jan. 23 in San Diego.

Phil Neary has left produce distributor Sunny Valley International to join paper and packaging company Pratt Industries.

One of the nation’s larger foodservice operators and a regional retail player had many similar answers from a bevy of supplier-type questions despite their size difference during a workshop session at the Western Growers Association’s Nov. 8 Annual Meeting in San Diego.