WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association has selected Lorelei DiSogra, director of the federal government's 5 A Day program for the past four years and a former Dole Food Co. executive, to join the association in the new position of vice president of nutrition and health, effective Aug. 1.

Retail fresh-cut specialist Renaissance Food Group announced the addition of Fruit Dynamics LLC in Naples, FL, to its fresh-cut supply chain network. Renaissance began shipping to Southeast retailers from the new location on July 1.

The new license agreement will expand Renaissance's next-day fresh-cut distribution of its "Garden Highway" line of premium quality fresh-cut fruits, vegetables and overwrap melon halves and quarters to retailers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

Recently, a number of Western shippers received debit memos from Canada Safeway as a result of back audits that are two or three years old.

Apparently, independent auditors have looked at the retailer's books including invoices, bills of lading and warehouse documentation, and determined that there were discrepancies in what was paid for and what was received.

The retailer has sent debit memos to shippers covering shipments as far back as 2003.

Three Mexican greenhouse operations have joined to form a new marketing company.

Agros S.A. de C.V. in Queretaro, Cris-P Greenhouses S.A. de C.V. in Sinaloa and Sonora, and Agrizar-Comercializadora Zarattini S.A. de C.V. in Guanajuato have formed a new venture called Greenhouse Produce Co. LLC, located in Mission Valley, TX. The new organization will be marketing all greenhouse produce grown by the three independent producers and affiliated companies.

The Peruvian fresh asparagus import community continues to be a viable and important part of building the U.S. market for fresh asparagus, and is working diligently with its exporters to make even further progress in several areas.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association recently adopted a mission statement and focused on improving the market for Peruvian fresh asparagus and serving as a facilitator for key industry issues. The mission statement will help direct activities already underway and to kick off a strong season.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has joined the Produce Marketing Association to develop a closer working relationship with the various members that constitute a majority of asparagus sales in the retail and foodservice market segments.

In 2003, supermarket sales of fresh asparagus were estimated at $543 million, or more than 1 percent of total produce department sales. Sales through the foodservice sector are currently estimated at more than $200 million annually.