QPMA Executive Director Sophie Perreault and Sebastien Alix of Pommes Ma-

Desert row-crop shippers report modest to moderate demand on most key items. Oxnard celery shippers report brisk demand on light volume. Northwest onion demand is strong and the market continues to have a very strong undertone. Russet supplies far outpace demand.

ICEBERG LETTUCE

DNE World Citrus Sales in Fort Pierce, FL, had an excellent first half of its season and is now looking for a post-holiday surge for its grapefruit and other midseason citrus varieties, according to Florida Citrus Sales Manager Kevin Swords.

Ciruli Bros. LLC in Nogales, AZ, has increased production in two areas in its vegetable program over the last couple of seasons, according to Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer.

One area of increase is in bell peppers, he said. “We are seeing really good demand on hothouse red peppers, and we have backed that up with mixing in open field Le Rouge reds. That will put us in [the market] with more red peppers in a little bit different style. It seems like red peppers are a very hot item whether it be foodservice or retail.”

Jef Pryor has joined the Idaho Potato Commission's foodservice marketing team as promotions director for the Southeast. Working closely with Don Odiorne, vice president of foodservice, and the other regional foodservice promotion directors, Mr.

The Reinvestment Fund, a national leader in financing neighborhood revitalization, has provided BrightFarms Inc. with $1.26 million in senior debt capital for its Pennsylvania greenhouse farm.

BrightFarms’ 53,000-square-foot greenhouse, under construction in Bucks County, PA, will grow up to 500,000 pounds of fresh produce per year, create up to 10 jobs and increase access to flavorful, healthy vegetables.