Morari Specialties Inc., which introduced baby cucumbers to the United States last year, is poised to launch another specialty produce item for consumers: baby eggplants. These new specialty items, grown and imported exclusively by Morari, will be available year-round in select retail stores at the end of July.

"I ate his liver with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti," said Dr. Hannibal Lechter in the movie thriller "Silence of the Lambs. Bizarre as his gastronomic choices may have been, Dr. Lechter at least knew his beans.

WENATCHEE, WA -- In a June 23 ceremony surrounded by family, friends, employees and colleagues, Tom Mathison, founder of apple packer-shipper Stemilt Growers Inc., here, announced that he will step down from the company presidency and hand the leadership reigns to his grandson, West Mathison.

West Mathison has served as Stemilt's executive vice president since 2003. He is the son of Jan and Kyle Mathison. Kyle is Tom Mathison's youngest son.

Chiquita Brands International Inc., based in Cincinnati, announced June 28 that it has completed its acquisition of the Fresh Express unit of Richmond, VA-based Performance Food Group. The purchase price was $855 million.

The deal, which was first announced in February, was supposed to close in April. But citing legal matters involving the conduct of some of its employees, Chiquita announced April 25 that the acquisition would be delayed for up to two months.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Finance Committee has approved the controversial trade agreement that would eliminate tariffs on goods traded with Central American countries, clearing the way for a Senate floor vote in the next few weeks.

California Giant has launched a national foodservice program for its "Just Strawberries" juice drink. This new initiative is the next step in the product launch based on the strong distribution and increased consumer demand at the retail level for "Just Strawberries.