WASHINGTON -- Six retailers that pledged to bring healthier, affordable foods to 10 million people living in so-called ‘food deserts’ is good news for the produce industry, Bryan Silbermann, president and chief executive officer of the Produce Marketing Association, said in a July 21 media call with reporters.

Grow My Profits LLC, a Lee’s Summit, MO-based produce consultancy, announced that ARYN WHITEHEAD has been named director of public relations. Ms. Whitehead will handle public relations for Grow My Profits and provide services for the company’s clients.

HAMILTON, NJ — The trend toward promoting locally grown produce has reached a new level this year as one of the country’s leading wholesale club stores has stepped up a pilot program it launched last summer.

With Eastern produce deals in full swing, BJ’s Wholesale Club, based in Westborough, MA, is taking advantage of consumers’ preference for locally grown product by promoting its “Farm to Club” program.

Costco Wholesale Corp. has begun requiring fresh produce and beef vendors to test for a wide range of E. coli strains, including O104:H4 that caused a massive outbreak tied to sprouts in Europe.

“We’ve had test and hold for ready-to-eat vendors for four to five years,” Craig Wilson, Costco’s food safety director, told The Produce News July 20. “This is the next step in the evolution.”

WEATHER

Salinas, CA: Daytime temperatures will be in the upper 60s to low 70s through July 26 with overnight lows in the low to mid-50s. Patchy morning and evening fog will persist into late July.

Mendota, CA: Daytime temperatures will be in the low to mid-90s through July 26 with overnight low in the mid- to low 60s.

DEMAND

Demand for California melons exceeds very light supplies. Russet demand continues to greatly exceed the remaining supply in all shipping areas.

TRANSPORTATION & FUEL

MONTEREY, CA — Naturipe Farms LLC, a leading marketer of a full line of berries, headquartered in Estero, FL, is hoping the increasing popularity of its new “Berry Quick” line of single-serve blueberry packs will translate to higher foodservice sales for blueberries.

The “Berry Quick” pack offers the convenience of a pre-washed and ready-to-eat single-serving of fruit in a 1.5-ounce resealable pack, offering chefs and foodservice operators the option of a having a pre-measured serving to accompany a meal or the ability to add a partial serving into a salad or other dish.