While an emphasis on food safety, traceability and quality is not necessarily new to California Giant Berry Farms, the company is focusing more intensely on them this year, according to Cindy Jewell, marketing director.

The 2013 California Citrus Showcase, scheduled to be held Thursday, March 7, in Visalia, CA, will feature Greg Calistro, executive director of produce for Savemart Supermarkets, as luncheon speaker.

"He is going to give a keynote address entitled The Game Changers: Industry and Consumer Trends," said Bob Blakely, director of industry relations for California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, CA, which puts on the annual event.

The Kroger Co. announced the promotion of Jeff Burt as president of the company's Central Division.

Mr. Burt, 50, has been group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement since 2010. He succeeds Bob Moeder, who recently announced his plans to retire this spring.

Gargiulo Inc. will close its tomato farm and packing facility in Somis, CA, the company announced in a Jan. 31 letter to Ventura County officials.

Gargiulo's Somis plant has 486 farm operation workers employed as farm managers, pickers, spray applicators and mechanics who will lose their jobs, according to the letter to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors announcing the closure, which will be effective April 1. Additionally, the company, which is headquartered in Naples, FL, has 191 employees in the Somis packing operation who are expected to be laid off.

Stockton, CA-based Quality Packing & Shipping hired MIKE GEORGE as sales and marketing manager in November.

In his new position, he handles custom packing, all sizes and varieties of potatoes (specializing in Bs, creamers and fingerlings) and mix fruit apple-orange packs. Mr. George also grows and packs hard shell squash and cherries (organic and conventional) in season.

“Soft pricing is a tricky topic,” Steven Ceccarelli, co-owner with his wife, Bethany, of Farm Fresh Produce in Faison, NC, told The Produce News. “It is normal for someone to undercut the market, but it hurts everyone. Market prices this year should certainly be better. Although January is always a little slower for domestic sales, and that is expected this time of year.”

However, things kick off on the export side in January, and that’s where Farm Fresh Produce kicks in. The company is very strong in exports, and Mr. Ceccarelli said he is very happy to report this news.