Produce Trades, a produce technology firm based in Grand Island, NY, recently launched its website, ProduceTrades.com. The company's auction software aims to redefine the buying, selling and transporting process for the produce industry.

Using a self-customized software bidding application, Produce Trades fills a need for a 24/7 international marketplace to connect produce buyers, sellers and transporters in one single auction platform.

Bland Farms, a leading year-round sweet onion shipper based in Glennville, GA, has named John Cameron as its new director of sales, effective July 1. Mr. Cameron, who most recently worked at NatureSweet in San Antonio, TX, is charged with identifying and developing new customer-focused sweet onion programs.

Boskovich Farms Inc. in Oxnard, CA, will be showcasing its current line of foodservice packs, including salad mixes, coleslaw mix, herbs, mixed vegetables and fresh cut apples, at the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Exposition in Monterey, CA, July 20-22.

MONTEREY, CA — Food-safety programs do not come one-size-fits-all and are "not something you can take off a shelf," because every company at every level of the produce supply chain has differences in its facilities and does some things different in its operations than every other company. Therefore, its "risk profile will be different," said Robert Whitaker, chief science and technology officer for the Produce Marketing Association.

FRESNO, CA — At both the state and federal level, there are issues and several pieces of legislation currently pending as of mid-July that are of great concern to the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, here.

At the state level, there are two bills currently moving through the legislature "that are of major concern to us," said Barry Bedwell, president of the league, July 13.

Colorful Harvest, a grower-shipper of a full line of berries, vegetables and melons based in Salinas, CA, announced the hiring of Jeremy Burris as its new vice president for sales and sourcing for its Florida division.