Rabobank, which is a major player in agricultural lending, has forecast that the current booming trend for berry sales in the United States will continue at a 7 percent annual growth rate over the next three years. And that view has support within the industry.

On Nov. 1, Rabobank’s Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory group released a report, titled “The U.S. Fresh Berry Boom — Who Will Profit from the Growth?”

Edward C. Sisler, a professor of biochemistry at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, whose research is credited with revolutionizing the handling and distribution of fresh-cut flowers, was honored Sept. 22 by the Society of American Florists with its Alex Laurie Award for floriculture research and education.

Roger Harkrider of H.E.B. Grocery Co.

The Chuck Olsen Co. in Visalia, CA, has a diverse citrus program consisting of shipping deals with several growers, according to Vice President Jeff Olsen.

“We are running lemons right now out of District Three [the southern desert],” he said Oct. 18. “We will have lemons out of there probably through March, and then District 1 [coastal area] fruit that will take us into the summer. Right now quality is excellent out of the desert. It is one of the best years in years as far as overall quality is concerned.”

Observing that consumption of dried apricots is up among young people in school cafeterias, Great Lakes International Trading Inc. in Traverse City, MI, recognized opportunities for marketing its imported Turkish dried apricots through new packaging with an appeal to kids. The result is a new packaging concept.

Great Lakes Sales Manager John Battle explained in an interview with The Produce News how the new concept came about.

The National Mango Board honored four retailers for being the “best of the best” in mango retailing and providing outstanding support and promotion for mangos. The winners were announced at the NMB’s Mango Industry Reception  Oct. 27 during the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit.

Through this new program in 2012, the NMB identified four mango model retailers from across the country, and selected one of these as the Mango Retailer of the Year.