Since its inception in the 1960s, the concept of increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has been part of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s mission statement in one way or another.

However, rarely over the years has this regional trade association had such a ready-made program to help achieve that goal. The salad bar donation program developed by the United Fresh Produce Association is just that vehicle.

The 2012 Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Exposition in Monterey, CA, on July 20-22, has a program filled with enough activities and events to wear out even the strongest and most active produce professionals. Giving them a place to chill out for a little while is a new concept at this year’s show. The Gold Circle Lounge, located off the lobby of the Portola Hotel, gives Gold Circle Contributors a lounge to relax and unwind with complimentary refreshments and massages. The lounge will be open on Saturday, July 21 at 8 a.m.

CF Fresh, an organic produce marketer based in Sedro-Woolley, WA, is bringing organic Washington apricots from Wahluke Orchards to market again this year.

“Spice World will be in booth number 129 at the PMA Foodservice Conference & Exposition,” said Louis Hymel, director of purchasing and marketing for the Orlando, FL-based company. “Mitch DiMarco, director of foodservice, and I will be there to greet attendees.”

In 1946, Arie Koornneef “started as a jobber after immigrating to Canada from Holland after [World War II]. He started selling fruit to customers out of a pick-up truck,” said Fred Koornneef, president of Koornneef Produce. “His philosophy was simple, have an excellent product and take good care of your customers.” Five decades later, and Koornneef Produce has since grown to an all-year operation servicing all of Ontario and into the Atlantic provinces.

Oxnard, CA-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods hired SUSAN NORITAKE as its director of fresh-cut sales on July 9.