Rocket Farms in Salinas, CA, a pioneer in the indoor floral industry, announced Oct. 16 that its sister company, Nurserymen’s Exchange in Half Moon Bay, CA, will operate under the Rocket Farms brand. Rocket Farms’ parent company, Monterey Peninsula Horticulture, has spent the last 12 months integrating the operations of both companies after acquiring Nurserymen’s Exchange last August.

Prospects are rosy for Valentine’s Day 2013, according to several surveys and reports.

A recovering economy and the emergence of new groups with an affinity for buying flowers on Valentine’s Day are key pillars of the resurgence of this holiday, second only to Mother’s Day for flower and plant sales.

Among the older companies in the California citrus industry, Limoneira Co. in Santa Paula, CA, has been growing citrus in Ventura County since 1993 and will mark its 120th anniversary in 2013.

In-shell nuts are a major category, particularly as the holiday season approaches, for A.J. Trucco Inc., a wholesaler, importer and distributor located on New York City’s Hunts Point Terminal Market.

This year, supplies will be tight and prices high on many items in the nut category, according to Salvatore (Sal) Vacca, president of the company.

PRO*ACT, one of America's leading distributors of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Steve Grinstead, who has served PRO*ACT for the last eight years. Mr. Grinstead leaves behind a strong senior management team that he was instrumental in developing during his tenure. Max Yeater, company president, will assume the majority of Grinstead's duties.

WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s election may not affect the 2012 Farm Bill debate, the produce industry’s most pressing legislative priority slated for this week’s lame duck session, but it will have implications for food safety, immigration reform and environmental regulations down the road, experts told The Produce News.

President Obama won re-election and nearly every battleground state, the Democrats maintained control of the Senate and the Republicans kept majority control of the House of Representatives.