North American consumers will have a chance to color up their plates in 2015 with pink onions. Joanne Steele, president of Tomato Specialists Inc., said this is the first full season the company will make the onion available to its customers.

“Pink onions are a breed,” she told The Produce News. “We started sourcing [from England] last year.”

Tomato Specialists is headquartered in Lehigh Acres, FL, and is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year.

Following the recommendation of the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black has announced April 27 as the official shipping date for the 2015 Vidalia onion marketing season.

The 16-grower panel made the recommendation to the commissioner during a meeting held at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, GA.

Florida grapefruit from DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, will finish two to three weeks earlier than in most years. Barbara Anderson, marketing promotions manager for the company, said all other citrus is expected to finish in a normal time frame.

Desiree Morales, vice president of W.P. Produce Corp. in Miami, said she hopes the recent ban on certain commodities imported from the Dominican Republic will be temporary in nature and allow companies such as hers to continue with movement of signature items such as green skin avocados.

Daniel Shiver, president of Hugh H. Branch Inc., died March 24 following a diagnosis of leukemia in November. He was 69. 

Mr. Shiver started his career at Lakeshore Growers, moving on to Gressinger Produce and South Bay Growers before starting his latest stint of 30 years with Hugh H. Branch Inc.   

Colorful Harvest is preparing to release its eye-catching new crystal clear 20-ounce party tray that combines Rainbow Crunch carrots with multi-colored cauliflowers and a sweet onion honey Dijon dipping sauce.