Detroit has always been a “bootstraps” town, and despite some tough times in recent years the city is prepared to move forward with success.

On Jan. 4, 2013, Andrew Mach, a staff writer for NBC News, reported that the homicide rate in the city of Detroit continued a grim upward trend in 2012, hitting its highest peak in nearly two decades, according to city officials.

Curry & Co., a year-round supplier of sweet onions, onions and blueberries, announced that Michael Hively has been named chief financial officer and chief operations officer of the Brooks, OR-based company.

Monte Vista, CO — Using the U.S. Potato Board’s “Five Distinct Potato Seasons” campaign as a matrix, the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee will be reaching out to consumers in 2013 with promotional information that ties potatoes to nurturing in winter, energy and anticipation in spring and outdoorsy fun in the summer.

The USPB’s campaign was developed to reach “Linda,” a composite consumer who represents the board’s target audience (female, 25-54 years with kids under 18 at home) and who accounts for 40 percent of all fresh potato consumption.

Monte Vista, CO — In year one of its partnership with Idaho’s Wada Farm’s Marketing Group, Worley & McCullough of Monte Vista, CO, has seen its potatoes move at a solid, steady pace.

W&M Sales Coordinator Trampas McCormick told The Produce News in early January, “We’re shipping at a good rate, and the year has been going really well for us. Wada has been a great asset and a great partner. Their ability to work in so many areas is a real plus, and our business is good from their organization.”

Monte Vista, CO — Sales for McCormick & Milne going into 2013 were described as good overall by John McCormick, company principal, who said that while the 2012 crop came in short, sales were “holding steady.”

He said, “We’re down a little, but things are moving well. Our process side is good, and all our contracts are in place.”

Center, CO — Citing good quality and steady movement of potatoes out of the Aspen Produce warehouse in Center, CO, sales agent Michele Peterson said the closing weeks of 2012, particularly the holidays, kept the facility busy.

“The holidays were good, and movement has been steady,” Ms. Peterson said in late 2012. “It’s been a good push, just what you’d like to see this time of year. We’re seeing good quality across the board, and our Rio Grandes and some of the numbered varieties are especially good for us this season.”