Columbia Marketing International, the marketing arm of the North American "KIKU" brand apple alliance, announced that "KIKU" brand apples have been harvested and are ready to ship from its growing-shipping partner, Rice Fruit Co., located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s orchard country.

Booth Ranches LLC in Orange Cove, CA, a leading grower, packer and shipper of citrus from California’s San Joaquin Valley, will see an increase in volume for the 2013-14 season as young plantings continue to mature.

Late navels, and specifically the Barnfield variety, are “really our forte” in the citrus program at Hronis Inc. in Delano, CA, according to Pete Hronis, vice president of sales and marketing.

The timing for the Barnfield variety is March and April. By that time of year, “regular navels are beginning to soften” and to go “the other direction” with regards to quality, but the Barnfields are “still rock-hard.” They are “coveted highly by the export world,” Hronis said. They travel well and hold well. “So this is where we are continuing to grow our program.”

Maurice E. (Moe) Yandow Jr., 82, of Wethersfield and Niantic, CT, died Nov. 3 at his home, surrounded by family. Mr. Yandow spent more than 50 years at the Fowler & Huntting Co., including seven years as president. The company was sold to FreshPoint in 2005.

The son of the late Maurice E. and Ada (Machabee) Yandow, Mr. Yandow was born July 13, 1931 in Hartford, CT. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years and best friend Marilyn (Loughlin) Yandow, with whom he enjoyed many good times and family gatherings at their beach house in Niantic.

IFCO, a global leader in reusable plastic containers, has named Dan Walsh as president-North America. He succeeds Fred Heptinstall, who has been appointed senior vice president of global business development.

Heptinstall will be responsible for evaluating opportunities for geographic expansion of IFCO into undeveloped global markets, new product applications and services and acquisition opportunities. He will participate in IFCO's strategic global business development and will represent IFCO in relevant industry organizations.

As the harvest of the Cripps Pink apple is under way in Washington state, the shipments of its earlier version as sold under the “Pink Lady” brand have been displaying very good movement to retail markets as consumers celebrate its new availability.