AHA sparks debate on cholesterol-lowering benefits of soy foods
WASHINGTON -- Soy food advocates are scratching their heads over the latest announcement from the American Heart Association that questioned whether soy-based foods and supplements significantly reduce cholesterol.
An AHA nutrition panel said that it decided to re-evaluate the latest studies on soy protein and cardiovascular disease, in part because the Food & Drug Administration approved labels that said foods containing soy protein were protective against heart disease.
Kroger apparently selling Northern California Ralph's stores
Kroger Co., the nation's largest grocery company, appears to have put its Ralph's Grocery outlets in Northern California on the market.
The Sacramento Bee reported the move Jan. 14, citing unnamed sources. A check of Ralph's stores in Capitola, CA, and Del Rey Oaks, CA, by The Produce News backed up the Bee report.
Mutual appoints interim CEO
Florida Citrus Mutual's board of directors appointed J.A. (Jay) Clark III as the interim executive vice president and chief executive officer of the state citrus growers association. Mr. Clark will serve in this interim capacity until the position is filled permanently.
"We are excited to have Jay serve the association in this position," Florida Citrus Mutual President Marty McKenna said in a statement. "We have significant confidence in both the staff and Jay to ensure a smooth transition during the next few months."
Jim Wysocki elected president of National Potato Council
At the National Potato Council's annual meeting Jan. 3-7 in Las Vegas, Jim Wysocki, potato grower and fresh packer from Bancroft, WI, was elected to lead the council as president in 2006. He is a second-generation council president; his father, Louis, led the council in 1979.
Mr. Wysocki's priorities include leading the council's efforts in the drafting of the 2007 farm bill, assisting in the creation of a grower pesticide-use database and increasing the involvement of women in the industry and in the council.
USA Pears spokesman named to Olympic ski team
USA Pears-sponsored athlete and Northwest native Torin Koos has been chosen as a member of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. In February, Mr. Koos will compete in the Winter Olympic games in Torino, Italy, along with nine other ski team members. This will be his second time as an Olympian, the first being in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Maitles resigns Dole communications post
Effective Feb. 3, Marta Maitles will no longer hold the post of director of communications for Dole Fresh Fruit Co. in Westlake Village, CA.
She worked for Dole for more than 13 years and will be leaving the produce industry to work in public relations within the mortgage finance industry. Her new office will be within 30 minutes of Dole's headquarters.
Unifying western citrus industry among Gargiulo's main accomplishments
Jeff Gargiulo, president and chief executive officer of Sunkist Growers in Sherman Oaks, CA, has announced his plan to resign in June when his current contract expires.
The announcement was made Jan. 19 in a Sunkist press release which stated, "This will conclude a second stint of an initial three-year contract.
Task force will look to boost the Garden State's vegetable industry
Vegetable growing, the second-largest sector of New Jersey agriculture, will be the focus of a task force geared toward strengthening market opportunities, the state's secretary of agriculture announced Jan. 23.
Oppenheimer launches 'jazzy' site for hip apple
The Enza Jazz apple is center stage once again in a groovy new web site, launched recently by The Oppenheimer Group.
"With all the buzz surrounding the popular Jazz apple, it was time to provide a web-based information platform for consumers, the trade and the media," David Nelley, pipfruit category director for Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer, said in a release. "Our own web site [OppyProduce.com] was overwhelmed with feedback and questions about the variety, so we decided we needed a dedicated on-line resource for Jazz."
Fire damages old L.A. produce market
LOS ANGELES -- Fire broke out Monday morning Jan. 23 at the Seventh Street Market, which was one of the two major wholesale produce markets here for many decades. A number of produce houses were damaged, and an unspecified amount of produce was lost in the blaze.
In the late 1980s, the city and many of its major produce tenants built the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market adjacent to the old Seventh Street Market. Most of the old- line companies either moved to the new market in 1986 or have since relocated off the market.