Attendees at this year’s Southern Exposure expo will have an opportunity to find out why 2013 represents such a sweet year for Curry & Co. “First of all, is our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News Feb. 11. “We’ll have samples at the show, and people can try these delicious carrots first hand. Our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program will run from late February/early March until about mid-summer. We are expecting our largest crop to date, and the quality has been excellent.”

What is sweeter than a Vidalia onion? How about Vidalias in the summertime? That is the theme of this year’s Vidalia Onion Committee marketing campaign, which will partner up with several other well-known brands to help drive sales and provide consumers with the ultimate outdoor summer dining experience.

The committee, based in Vidalia, GA, has partnered with Johnsonville Sausage, the National Mango Board, Avocados from Mexico, Stemilt Cherries, Gourmet Garden Spice and the National Watermelon Promotion Board for the Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer promotional program.

Chris Mastronardi, owner and president of Double Diamond Acres, a leading greenhouse producer in Leamington, ON, told The Produce News that the company’s new high-tech greenhouse facility in Leamington — in a separate location from the company’s existing operation — is now up and running.

As farmland in Orange County, CA, becomes increasingly scarce due to urban development, Orange County Produce in Irvine, CA, has found it expedient to look beyond the confines of Orange County for its strawberry production.

With the formation of a new partnership with a farming family in Oxnard, CA, Orange County Produce is now selling strawberries from Oxnard district packed in the “Ventura County Farms” label along with strawberries grown in Orange County and packed in the “Orange County Farms” label.

The Produce Marketing Association announced Feb. 19 the departure of Lorna Christie, executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Feb. 28.

Ms. Christie is leaving to pursue her goal of consulting with companies ready to take their next steps in establishing a business model based on integrated strategic communications, including crisis mitigation, management and public affairs, according to a press release issued by PMA.

When cantaloupe has been in the news of late, that news has not been good. A new organization, the Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association, hopes to change that by implementing a vetting and auditing process that could provide a competitive edge for members and peace of mind for retailers, wholesalers and consumers.