Though its U.K.-based parent company, Tesco, is not showing its hand at this point, widespread reports indicate that the firm is close to selling its 220 Fresh & Easy stores, located in the West.

In December, Tesco announced that the chain was "under review" because of its substantial losses and no turnaround in sight. When the effort was launched a handful of years ago, Tesco expected that 2013 would be the year it turned a profit.

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While PortMiami already has strong import movement from Chile, officials there have been approached by shippers and brokers seeking to import greater quantities of fresh produce from the country.

Eric Olafson, Esquire, manager, Intergovernmental Affairs/Cargo Development for PortMiami, said that port representatives have met with many of the leading importers.

Brian Osborne, general manager of Unique Cold Storage in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News that the company offers full logistics’ services to meet any need.

“Unique Cold Storage can receive product coming into Florida, and it will pick up product from the port or airport,” said Mr. Osborne. “The product is brought to our warehouse, inspected, pre-cooled and ripened specifically to each item’s requirements.”

On March 8, Country Fresh Mushroom Co., now headquartered in Toughkenamon, PA, announced that it has moved to a newly constructed facility to accommodate its expanding production requirements.

The 60,000-square-foot plant and office building located in Toughkenamon, PA, is among the five largest mushroom processing facilities in North America and houses a state-of-the-art operation.

Tanimura & Antle donated 126 pounds of Artisan lettuce for the World’s Largest School Lunch Tray event facilitated by PBS show, "Bringing it Home with Laura McIntosh," as part of the annual California Ag Day festivities in Sacramento March 20.