Workers at Gerawan Farming Inc. in Reedley, CA, were finally given the chance to decertify the United Farm Workers as their contract bargaining agent in a potentially landmark election held Tuesday, Nov. 5.

It may well be weeks before the results of the election are known, but the outcome could have huge significance.

Beachside Produce LLC is preparing for a successful holiday season in 2013 by adding celery sticks and hearts to its lineup this fall.

Celery sticks are available in a variety of convenient pack options, and celery hearts and a new 8x3 full stalk will be offered as well.

With the 2013 California date harvest nearly complete for Medjool dates and in full swing for Deglets, “we are going into our peak shipping season,” said Albert Keck, president of Hadley Date Gardens Inc. in Thermal, CA, in an interview with The Produce News Oct. 17. “We are shipping briskly,” and so far, the product was moving out as fast as it was coming in.

Atlas Produce & Distribution Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, producer of California-grown Medjool dates, has introduced a new style of packaging for its “Caramel Naturel” brand date products, according to Robert Dobrzanski, president of the company.

The new packaging is an air-tight clamshell that “extends the shelf life of the product, so that the consumer is happy with what they buy,” Dobrzanski said. Made by Safe T Fresh, the containers are also tamper resistant. “We have those in the eight-ounce, 12-ounce and one-pound” sizes as well as in a two-pound size, he said.

Loop Fresh Produce in McAllen, TX, and Los Angeles-based transportation partner the Allen Lund Co. are celebrating the first anniversary of a successful Rio Grande Valley partnership.

Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales, AZ, is a diversified shipper and distributor of vegetables from Mexico best known for its eggplant but also handling an assortment of other commodities. Founded in the 1950s, the family business has traditionally crossed its products into the United States at Nogales.

Three years ago, however, Malena began going through McAllen, TX, with some of its products, according to Chief Executive Officer Gonzalo Avila.