NAPLES, FL -- What is the Food Network's newest star? Florida tomatoes. Samantha Winters, director of education and promotion for the Florida Tomato Committee, took the wraps off its newest marketing campaign during her presentation at the committee's organizational meeting, part of the 32nd Joint Tomato Conference held here at the Ritz-Carlton Naples.

Minneapolis-based C.H. Robinson Co. is introducing a new line of fresh organic products. "Our World Organics" will debut at the 2007 Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit convention and exposition in Houston.

Melones Internacional, whose greenhouse vegetables from Sinaloa, Mexico, were formerly packed in the "Chiquita/ABC" brand and marketed through Chiquita Frupac Inc., are now being packed in a new label, "Plain Jane," just launched by the company.

Melones Internacional, whose founder and chief operating officer is Alejandro Canelos, has corporate headquarters in Culiacan, Sinaloa, and in Phoenix, AZ. Distribution of the products is handled through Apache Produce Co. Inc. in Nogales, AZ, according to a company fact sheet.

Widespread media reports are indicating that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns would resign his post to seek an open seat in the Senate from his home state of Nebraska. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) said earlier this month that he would not seek re-election to a third term.

Mr. Hagel had apparently met with Mr. Johanns Sept. 18 and encouraged him to run for the seat, according to media reports. Mr. Hagel would not confirm Mr. Johanns' candidacy, but said that the agriculture secretary would make an announcement soon.

New York Bold LLC announced a new partnership with Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. that will bring "America's Cooking Onion" to consumers across America.

Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc. has announced that Steve Trede has joined its category management team as category development manager.

Mr. Trede has worked in the produce industry for more than 25 years for companies such as Desert Glory, Del Monte Fresh Produce and the California Strawberry Commission. A food technology graduate of Iowa State University, Mr. Trede most recently worked selling tomatoes for Desert Glory.