A diversified client base and a hard-working staff keep the Mesquite, TX, branch of the Tom Lange Co. hopping.

In fact, Darrell Wolven, vice president of sales, wonders what happened to the extra free time technology was supposed to bring to the modern workplace.

"Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, and I suppose it has, but it definitely hasn't cut down on the amount of time we spend working," Mr. Wolven said. “Especially nowadays with the Internet and cell phones and smartphones and texts, we work more hours than we ever have.”

It is business as usual at Combs Produce in Dallas, and that is a good thing.

"We sell a lot of tomatoes, that's for sure," said Brett Combs, vice president of sales and marketing. Given the global economic turmoil of the past three years, “business is still a little challenging, but it’s decent overall.”

Being headquartered in Texas, a state which has weathered the recession better than the most and one that leads all others in economic recovery is “definitely a benefit, but it is still soft here. But business is decent overall and definitely improving.”

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.

The season for Florida Classic Growers (formerly Diversified Citrus Marketing) in Lake Hamilton, FL started off with a bang and has only gotten better, said Al Finch, vice president of sales and marketing.

George Wooten, owner of Wayne E. Bailey Produce Company in Chadbourn, NC, said that North Carolina had the best crop of sweet potatoes in the country in 2009, but shortages in other states put severe pressure on supplies during the past summer.

Spud City Sales LLC, based in Stevens Point, WI, regularly markets more than Wisconsin potatoes. But Tom Lundgren, president of the firm, said that practice is very true this season.