NEW ORLEANS — The United Fresh Produce Association returned to The Big Easy for its 2011 convention after a three-year run in Las Vegas, and while attendance was down slightly compared to last year’s event, the association touted the quality of attendees and the program as highlights of this year’s show.

More retailers than ever before decked their aisles with spectacular spud displays in February in hopes hopes of winning a share of the $150,000 in cash and prizes awarded in the Idaho Potato Commission’s Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest.

Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk, chief executive officer of Seald Sweet International-Univeg Group, was honored at the 2011 United Fresh Reception Honoring Women in Produce .

WEATHER

Salinas, CA: Daytime highs will briefly reach the mid-80s May 4 and 5, then quickly retreat to the low to mid-60s through May 10. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s.

Bakersfield, CA: Daytime highs will briefly reach the low 90s May 4, 5 and 6, then slide back into the mid-70s through May 10. Overnight lows will be in the mid-60s through May 6, then drop into the low to mid-50s through May 10.

DEMAND

NEW ORLEANS -- In an effort to enhance the image of fresh-cut produce while at the same time educating both buyers and consumers on the strong selling points of value-added products, the United Fresh Produce Association has designed a "toolkit" specific to that market segment.

Starting with Vidalia onions and Georgia blueberries, Georgia commodities will fly high this summer with Atlanta-based Delta Airlines.