MCL Distributing Inc., a grower, shipper and distributor of "4-Earth? brand conventional and organic specialty produce, announced the hiring of Jeanette De-Coninck Hertzler as a senior account manager.

WASHINGTON " Top officers with the International Fresh-cut Produce Association are expected this April to give a go-ahead to a plan to create a European division, a model that, if successful, could be exported to other regions of the world.

The appetite for fresh-cut produce is growing in Europe, said IFPA President Jerry Welcome, who noted that European processors pitched the idea to IFPA last year. "Obesity is not as hot an issue as over here," he said. But time-starved shoppers, who continue to look for convenient products, are driving the market.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced Feb. 21 that in order to address the financial and operational challenges that have hampered its performance, the company and 23 of its U.S. subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The filings were made in the evening of Feb. 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

PHOENIX " A gathering of nearly 200 people attended the Fresh Produce & Floral Council?s second annual Arizona luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the Phoenix Crown Plaza Hotel, here. Kevin Easler of Sprouts Farmers Market, served as the emcee for the event, while Wal-Mart?s Bruce Peterson was the day?s keynote speaker.

No contaminants were found on fruits and vegetables tested by the Food & Drug Administration as part of a six-week bioterrorism drill, according to FDA officials.

?This is very good news," said Kathy Means, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association, who added that this just reinforces that levels of contaminants are either extremely low or non-existent on fruits and vegetables.

PHILADELPHIA Frank Weichec Jr. wasn't around to speak for himself for a story on his retirement. He was with his beautiful wife, Alice, cruising his 41-foot motor yacht off South Florida.

Instead, his son, Chip Weichec, hunkered down in Norm & Lou?s Restaurant, the social center of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, here, to discuss his father?s career.