Lee Pipkin, food resource director for the Fort Worth-based Texas Food Bank Network, knows that many people in these troubled times look slightly askance at charitable organizations. He also knows there have rarely been times when more Americans have needed assistance.

The obvious solution to closing the trust gap between corporate America and people who genuinely need help is for charitable organizations to operate more like the businesses they rely on for support.

Everyone knows the old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." David Mixon, chief marketing officer for Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, might amend that to, “When life gives you small fruit, create promotional opportunities.”

Seald Sweet has an excellent, flavorful crop this year, but like the rest of the Florida (and industrywide) crop, fruit size is small, Mr. Mixon told The Produce News in late November.

DNE World Fruit Sales Inc. in Fort Pierce, FL, is off to a great start this season, managing a crop that features smaller fruit than normal in a manner that makes it a promotable commodity for retailers and a bargain for consumers said Kevin Swords, Florida citrus sales manager.

NOGALES, AZ — Al Harrison Co. Distributors, here, which has traditionally been a shipper and distributor of watermelons and hard shell squash, has made some major changes in its operation this year, greatly expanding its product line and bringing on additional sales personnel to handle the new items.

Prime Time Sales LLC. in Coachella, CA, exclusive sales agent for Prime Time International, also in Coachella, is in the bell pepper business year round, with production in both California and Mexico.

The Mexican share of the company's volume has been expanding, and now "we actually have greater production in Mexico than we do in California, so it is a huge part of our program," said Mike Aiton, director of marketing. “Probably last year would be the first year when the scale kind of tipped.”

The only thing new for Bernardi & Associates Inc., coming into the 2010-11 Nogales season, is the opening of an office in McAllen, TX, said Joe Bernardi, president.

Headquartered in Nogales, AZ, Bernardi & Associates also has seasonal offices in San Diego, in Turlock, CA, and in Fort Meyers, FL. When The Produce News talked to Mr. Bernardi by phone Nov. 30, he was in the Turlock office where he has been for the summer and fall, mainly working the California tomato deal. As always, he will head down to Nogales by the first of the year.