Longtime Salinas Valley industry leader Thomas Monroe Merrill died Tuesday, April 8, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was 79.

It has been 25 years since the fresh produce industry was in Las Vegas, the No. 1 convention city in the world. This year, for the first time, United Fresh Produce Association is co-locating its two expositions -- FreshTech and Fresh Marketplace -- to bring more of the entire produce supply chain to Vegas.

CLOVIS, CA -- Ballantine Produce Co. Inc. and P-R Farms Inc. have announced a strategic arrangement whereby, beginning with the current growing season, Ballantine will manage the farming and be responsible for the packing and marketing of P-R Farms' stone fruit.

An office maintained in Santiago, Chile, by Delano, CA-based Pandol Bros. Inc. since 1987 will permanently close at the end of April, Anthony Stetson, Pandol's vice president of sales, told The Produce News April 16.

BRADENTON, FL -- Nine years ago, Joseph Esformes, a principal in the Sunripe family of companies comprised of Pacific Tomato Co., Pacific Triple E Packing, Pacific Collier Fresh, Pacific Pre-Pack and Heller Bros., visited the University of South Florida's College of Education in Tampa at the urging of his close friend and former marketing director, William Gross, who was ebullient about the programs in place at the school.

Building on its highly successful educational seminar last year, Indianapolis Fruit Co. in Indianapolis delivered yet another energetic and educational seminar and product showcase in March.

With well over 350 industry-leading retailers, grower-shippers and produce agencies in attendance, Indianapolis Fruit hosted its third annual educational seminar and product showcase titled Winning at Retail III: Customer Service I.D.E.A.S. for Better Sales & Profit.