The Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo, which is held annually in Monterey, CA, is July 26-28 this year. Exhibitors and visitors alike are in store for another venue stuffed full of events to keep them busy throughout the entire weekend.

The show opens Friday, July 26 at 6:45 a.m. with the Joe Nucci Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament features advice from golf pro Jason Owen and a chance to win $10,000 in the hole-in-one contest. Golfers also have a great opportunity to network with other industry members. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m.

Citing innovation, collaboration and creativity, BJ's Wholesale Club presented C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. with its Perishable Vendor of the Year Award.

Southern Specialties, a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, is gearing up for a bountiful blueberry season out of British Columbia.

The Kroger Co. and Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement July 9 under which Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Harris Teeter for $49.38 per share in cash.

Included in the deal are Harris Teeter's 212 stores in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets and in Washington, DC. The stores are located primarily in high-growth markets, vacation destinations and university communities in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia.

Oceanside Pole vine-ripe tomatoes are back, and in a big way.

With increased volume thanks to added acreage and enhanced seed selection, West Coast Tomato Growers, owners of the famed "Oceanside Pole" tomato brand, are poised for an excellent season.

Vineland Growers Co-Operative Ltd. celebrated their 100th anniversary on the grounds of H.A. Staff Farms on Saturday, June 15. The approximately 1,000 guests were greeted by a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception showcasing ‘Niagara’s Finest Wine’ and the formal opening ceremonies included addresses by Vineland Growers Co-operative Chair Phil Tregunno and political heavyweights. The mood for the event was set by the lively entertainment throughout the evening, a gourmet barbeque and the night was capped off with impressive fireworks by Garden City.