Belding, MI-based BelleHarvest Sales Inc. announced Jan. 23 the hiring of industry veteran CHRIS SANDWICK as vice president of sales and marketing. He brings an expertise in brand management and a passion for consumer engagement to the position.

Mr. Sandwick joins BelleHarvest with 20 years of produce industry experience under his belt.

For the past 10 years he worked at Pepin Heights Orchard Inc., where he ascended to the role of director of sales and marketing. Prior to that, he spent six years with Supervalu, where he was a merchandiser.

Texas citrus growers are in the catbird seat with none of the problems that have plagued other domestic growing areas through the first half of this season, according to Trent Bishop of Lone Star Citrus Growers in Mission, TX.

Lone Star was launched six years ago by three Texas industry veterans: Jud Flowers, T.J. Flowers and Mr. Bishop.

Demand for domestically grown organic product is so strong that Christopher Ranch has trouble keeping up.

In its extensive organic line, Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, offers fresh whole garlic bulbs in bulk and packaged. Its organic garlic line also includes peeled, roasted and processed garlic, as well as chopped, crushed and roasted garlic puree, which are shelf-stable in jars.

Chelan Fresh Marketing of Chelan, WA, will soon begin shipping d’Anjou pears to China under its “Trout” label, according to Mac Riggan, marketing director.

The produce industry is hoping a new U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation announced Feb. 1 that puts limits on snack foods sold to children during the school day will not only promote healthy eating but drive up produce sales.

Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA must establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, besides the federally supported school meal programs. The Smart Snacks in School proposed rule unveiled Feb. 1 requires all foods sold in schools meet the following criteria:

The U.S. government and Mexican tomato growers reached a tentative agreement Feb. 2 that raises the minimum reference price for Mexican plum, cherry and other tomatoes that are sold in the United States.

"I am pleased that we were able to come to an agreement on fresh tomato imports from Mexico that restores stability and confidence to the U.S. tomato market and meets the requirements of U.S. law," Francisco Sanchez, undersecretary for international trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said in a statement.