The 84th Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show is aptly themed "Produce: Powered by People." Melanie Richer, senior manager of marketing and communications, said that CPMA is anticipating record- breaking crowds at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The convention begins May 6 with registration and the annual general meeting, and concludes the evening of May 8 with the annual banquet reception and dinner.

LAS VEGAS -- Today's consumers are living in a fast-paced, changing world, and they are changing just as quickly. To capture these customers, supermarket retailers are going to have to reach out and find new ways to do business.

That was the general message delivered by Kevin Coupe, a former reporter who monitors the retail sector and who spoke at the Retail-Foodservice Super Session April 23 during the United Fresh Produce Association convention, here.

WEST ORANGE, NJ -- The Eastern Produce Council elected a new president and vice president at its dinner meeting April 28 at the Manor in West Orange, NJ.

Dean Holmquist, director of produce and floral for Foodtown Inc., is the organization's new president, replacing Joe DeLorenzo, director of produce merchandising and operations for Alpha 1 Marketing and who served as the council's president for the past four years.

Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce and floral for Kings Supermarkets Inc., is the council's new vice president.

John Tanimura, a first-generation member of the Tanimura family that began a farming relationship with Bud Antle and his family in 1948, died in his sleep April 27 in Salinas, CA. He was 88 years old.

TORONTO -- It was somewhat of a trial by fire when Julian Sarraino started working full time at Fresh Taste Produce Ltd. as an apple and grape buyer in May 2008.

Mr. Sarraino, 24, represents the fourth generation at the wholesaler run by the Sarraino family and located here at the Ontario Food Terminal.

"My dad and grandfather threw me right in without a lifejacket and the water was deep with nothing to grab on to," Mr. Sarraino said. "I learned pretty quickly what to do and what not to do."

LAS VEGAS -- With traceability now perhaps the key issue for consumers and the produce trade alike, YottaMark is seeing increased interest in its two- year-old HarvestMark traceability solution, as evidenced by three major produce marketers that have adopted the program in the last month alone.