M&M Farm Inc. in Miami, which markets some 40 different tropical fruits and vegetables under the “M&M Tropicals” brand, is probably the second largest grower of Florida green skin avocados, according to Mark Vertrees, marketing director.

Many of the products, including avocados, are grown by M&M in Florida. Other items are imported, mainly from Central America and South America.

West Pak Avocado Inc. in Temecula, CA, sources Hass avocados for its customers from all of the major growing regions that supply the U.S. market those being California, Mexico, Chile “and now Peru,” said Doug Meyer, vice president of sales and marketing, in a written statement furnished to The Produce News July 27. “All regions play an important role in meeting our customer’s needs, based on their individual preferences for supplying them on a year-round basis.”

“We are sourcing from all of the major suppliers of Hass avocados into the United States,” said Phil Henry, president of Henry Avocado Corp. in Escondido, CA, in a July 21 interview with The Produce News.

McDaniel Fruit Co. in Fallbrook, CA, will be marketing avocados from four countries over the course of the next year. The seasons differ, providing customers with year-round availability, but there is also extensive overlap, giving customers often a choice as to which country of origin they prefer for their fruit.

“And there is customer preference for country of origin,” said President Rankin McDaniel in an interview with The Produce News July 21.

A California private investigator who said that he has been hired by unnamed people in the tree fruit and grape industries in the San Joaquin Valley has placed ads in various trade industry publications, including The Produce News, asking for information with regard to buying practices within the industry.

Scott Nelson of S.K. Nelson & Co. in Fresno, CA, said that the people who hired him have "some evidence" of practices that are "unethical and possibly criminal."

As the American palate matures and continues to look for new flavors and healthier foods, endive is well positioned to continue its growth in retail and foodservice markets.

California Vegetable Specialties, based in Rio Vista, CA, which said that it is the only endive producer in the United States, is entering its 30th season growing the product and is a leading worldwide producer of red endive. Current production is about 4 million pounds annually.