VIDALIA, GA – Retailers and consumers alike anxiously await the beginning of the Vidalia onion season – and with good reason. The world-famous onion virtually created the sweet onion category and, retailers say, drives the deal and has spurred 12-month consumer demand for sweet onions.

“The European Flavors promotional program is in the final year of its second three-year term,” Nick Pacia, vice president of A.J. Trucco Inc., located at the Hunts Point Terminal Market, told The Produce News.

“All of our promotional projects will be completed by next February,” he said. “We believe they will then renew the project for another term because it has been hugely successful, but they will do it a little differently. They will likely expand the scope to other countries such as Russia and other Asian nations.”

Ciro Porricelli, vice president of Jerry Porricelli Produce, located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market, told The Produce News that the company is celebrating 15 years in business this year, but that the family has several generations of experience in the produce industry.

“I named the business after my grandfather, who was known by ‘Jerry,’” said Mr. Porricelli.

BI-LO Holding, parent company of BI-LO and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced a long-term agreement under which Keene, NH-based C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. will provide warehouse, transportation and most procurement services for all 480 Winn-Dixie stores and continue providing services to all 206 BI-LO stores.

 VIDALIA, GA – As the Southeast Produce Council grows and prospers, it is increasing its philanthropic outreach. One of its most recent projects is underwriting a garden at the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia, GA, which serves boys and teens in crisis.

SAN DIEGO — The United Fresh Produce Association kicked off its 2013 convention, here, with an opening reception held May 14 aboard the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that is now a museum docked in the San Diego Bay.