Irvine, CA-based Western Growers welcomed MAXIMILIAN MERRILL to its staff on May 13.

This year, Ray & Mascari Inc. will celebrate its 75th year of operation. “We are so excited about that,” Vice President Joseph (Rocky) Ray told The Produce News. “The Ray family has certainly been blessed over the years. Our father and grandfather, Mike Ray Sr., truly deserves all the credit for our success.”

Double D Farms will now be known as Devine Organics. Double D was formed over 20 years ago. Over the years its growing efforts have become more concentrated on organic produce. With about 75 percent of the business now focused on organics, the new identity reflects this shift.

Owners Don and Elvia Devine know that the organic consumer is an informed consumer, therefore packing, labeling and branding will reflect an organic look and feel, connecting their produce to the organic farming practices being used.

WASHINGTON — Specialty crop producers got bad news Thursday as the U.S. House of Representatives voted 195-234 to reject the 2013 farm bill, raising more uncertainty about whether Congress can agree on a five-year, $940 billion bill this year.

The House leadership failed to bridge the divide as many Democrats voted against the bill because of steep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the food stamp program, and many Republicans voted against the measure because of its cost.

John Chamberlain, director of marketing for Limoneira, headquartered in Santa Paula, CA, said that the company has been introducing its Unleash the Natural Power of Lemons campaign to its retail, foodservice and wholesale customers.

Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for Village Farms International, headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, told The Produce News that the company recently hosted chefs from several Vancouver Fairmont properties at its Delta, British Columbia greenhouse for a tomato school.

“The gathering consisted of the chefs, cooks and sous-chefs from the local region including the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and Fairmont Pacific Rim,” Aquino said.