Monterey County — and the Salinas Valley in particular — has long been called the nation's "Salad Bowl" by those both in and out of the area. The latest crop statistics prove that it still has earned that designation.

Freshway Foods has introduced new products featuring locally grown produce from the Great Lakes region. Fruits and vegetables available through the program are grown on family-owned farms in Ohio, Michigan and New York.

The rich soil found in the Great Lakes region grows high quality produce, and the produce spends less time in transit, according to the company.

Keeping up with the quickly changing landscapes of both software development and the produce industry is not easy, but F. Charles Waud, company president of Waudware, enjoys the challenge.

The Brampton-based software development company has two flagship products — Produce Inventory Control System and Produce Inventory Control System for the Web. Specifically designed for the produce industry, the software is particularly adept at handling traceability issues, including case labeling.

The Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, based in Citrusdal, South Africa, has an extensive summer citrus program that includes clementines, Navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Midknight oranges and Star Ruby grapefruit.

PRO*ACT, a leading distributor of fresh produce based in Monterey, CA, has promoted ANTHONY MOLINARO to vice president of client services.

Consumers and retailers will get a bonus from Vidalia, GA, this year.

Torrential rains in the early part of the Vidalia onion season led to a widespread outbreak of seed stem that reduced volume and led to a poor first half. But from May 1 on, blue skies, hot temperatures and steady winds were the order of the day, resulting in a in a bumper crop of excellent quality onions that will keep promotable volumes available through Labor Day.