ORLANDO, FL — Les Jardins Paul Cousineau & Fils Inc. is known for its Quebec broccoli and cauliflower programs, but some in the industry might not know that the family-owned-and-operated firm has these items available year round.

While the St-Constant, QC-based grower-packer-shipper has not figured out how to grow the items during the harsh Canadian winters, it has created a California division named Bro-Quali Harvest Inc. that began operating two years ago, which has allowed it to become a 12-month-a-year supplier.

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' 42nd Nogales Produce Convention & Golf Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 4-6 in Tubac, AZ, just north of the border town of Nogales, AZ, which is the main port of entry for the preponderance of the produce grown in mainland West Mexico.

Is Thanksgiving dinner tried-and-true or innovative and creative?

Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, told The Produce News that while it is nice to know the green bean casserole will always be there, she likes a touch of the unexpected at a festive meal.

ORLANDO, FL — A new port on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast is helping the politically challenged country move ahead economically.

Nicaragua had a presence at the PMA Fresh Summit convention, here, to promote its fresh fruit, vegetable and other perishable exports.

Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio, TX, which was shut down Oct. 20 after Texas authorities tied the processor to a listeriosis outbreak, is fighting the charges in the press.

Six of the 10 cases of listeria poisoning have been traced to chopped celery from the Sangar plant, said the Texas Department of State Health Services, and 10 cases, including five deaths, have been reported to state authorities over the last eight months.

Produce and floral suppliers from across the United States and around the world donated an estimated 266,330 pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida following the close of the 2010 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, held Oct. 15-18 in Orlando, FL.