The Produce Marketing Association's International Council met in Shanghai, China, from Feb. 26 through March 1 with Rabobank North East Asia representative Patrick Vizzone to explore the opportunities and challenges in the global produce supply chain and, more specifically, on China's current and future role as a significant exporter and importer of fruits and vegetables.

The findings from the collaboration are being incorporated into a white paper PMA will make available May 15.

ORADELL, NJ -- The Produce News has announced the promotion of Joel Gebet to Canadian sales manager, effective March 13. In this new position, Mr. Gebet will take charge of all advertising sales in Canada, as well as be in a lead position for planning and implementing editorial coverage of Canadian clientele and issues.

The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced that television news legend Ted Koppel will address attendees of the 2006 United Produce Show at FMI, May 6-9 in Chicago.

On Sunday, May 7, Mr. Koppel will present a talk entitled "Insight Spanning the Decades," providing an in-depth look into relevant news stories from across the world, including politics, international affairs, economics and the evolution of television. The 41-time Emmy winner also will relate candid stories about events that have influenced history and continue to affect our future.

The strawberry industry was among the very early segments of the produce industry to embrace the use of clear plastic clamshells for retail consumer packs.

The preponderance of fresh strawberries now goes to market in clamshells.

They are popular for many reasons: they display the product well, they protect it, they extend shelf life and reduce shrink, and they reduce labor costs at store level.

But there are downsides, one being the amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste generated by their use.

San Juan Bautista, CA-based Earthbound Farm has agreed to acquire San Juan Bautista neighbor Pride of San Juan's manufacturing operations in an effort to expand its reach in the foodservice market with specialty salads, herbs and edible flowers.

Pride of San Juan will retain its farming operations and will supply Earthbound Farm with volume to fulfill orders for the Pride of San Juan labels.

Cases of Melissa's Great Book of Produce (John Wiley & Sons) began hitting bookstores in early March, but it is also being introduced in a place where not many books about food generally appear: in the produce departments of grocery stores across the country.