In January, the Hass Avocado Board publicized some positive avocado nutrition research concerning avocado consumption and its beneficial impact on the amount of good vs. bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.

“It was our most successful PR campaign,” said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the industrywide commodity group. “The pickup (of the story) by the media resulted in 700 million impressions.”

Jaime Chamberlain expects Mexican produce exports to North America “to evolve and grow faster in the next 10 years than we have in the last 50 years.”

Chamberlain, president of the Nogales, AZ-based J-C Distributing Inc., shared these thoughts March 3 in Yuma, AZ, at the University & Industry Consortium Conference.

WASHINGTON — Just weeks after the U.S. Department of Agriculture deregulated two varieties of genetically engineered Arctic apples, the Food & Drug Administration announced that Arctic apples are safe for consumption, along with six varieties of Innate potatoes genetically engineered to lower the potential for acrylamide and black spot bruising.

Based on company documents, FDA found that food and feed from the GMO crops are not “materially” different in safety, nutrition, composition or any other traits from apples or potatoes on today’s market.

Mission Produce Inc. has promoted Robb Bertels to vice president of marketing. Bertels has been with Mission for two years, serving as director of strategic marketing for the Oxnard, CA-based global avocado supplier.

Bertels has been involved in the produce industry for over 25 years, including stints with agriculture-based advertising agencies.

Bertels will replace Dave Austin, who is retiring as marketing director after 18 years at Mission Produce. 

The Viva Fresh Produce Expo is set to kick off with a sold out show that is embracing the sights, sounds and electric buzz of the host city Austin, TX.

Up-and-coming musicians and local award-winning chefs will delight high-profile buyers and grower-shippers from throughout Texas, Mexico, and neighboring southwestern U.S. states.

During the expo opening reception, three chefs, from the Texas International Produce Associations’ home base in McAllen, will feature their own signature specialties.

This year the Nunes Co. Inc. and Foxy Produce kept the green theme going after St. Patrick's Day with 'St. Broccoli Day' on March 18, which will lead up to National We Love Broccoli Day on Sunday, March 22. The company is still celebrating St.