The National Watermelon Association will "kick off" the domestic watermelon season when its 96th annual convention returns to the state of Texas for the first time in 17 years.

The convention, which will have a National Football League theme, will take place Feb. 17-21 at The Fairmont Dallas and will offer several unusual and even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for football fans, Bob Morrissey, executive director of the association, told The Produce News.

ORLANDO, FL -- Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the National Mango Board for three-year terms beginning immediately and ending Dec. 31, 2012.

Produce prices are high, business is competitive and independent retailers are prospering in the Kansas City area, according to local industry leaders.

Ed Baloian, chairman of Baloian Farms in Fresno, CA, will be honored Feb. 27 with Ag One's 2010 Community Salute Award in recognition of his more than 60 years of devoted service to the California produce industry and his commitment to his community.

The Baloian family has been in the produce business since 1923, when Mr. Baloian's father, Charles, started a full-service produce business. Brothers Ed and James Baloian joined their father as partners in the business in 1945 upon returning to Fresno after serving in World War II.

According to numerous news sources, including The Sacramento Bee, F. Scott Salyer, the former owner of SK Foods and Salyer American Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA, was arrested Feb. 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport after getting off a flight from London.

Fruit Patch LLC in Reedley, CA, which recently hired former California Tree Fruit Agreement President Sheri Mierau to head its sales and marketing team, announced the appointment of Sabrina Mak as trade marketing manager.

Ms. Mak, who will report to Ms. Mierau and who was previously director of trade marketing and director of national programs for Ballantine Produce in Reedley, CA, has 19 years of industry experience.