LA QUINTA, CA — The National Watermelon Association unveiled a new logo and launched a new website at its 101st annual convention, here.

Sunkist Growers announced the cooperative’s fifth consecutive billion-dollar revenue year at the company’s annual meeting Feb. 18, with 2014 grower payments increasing to $1.1 billion from $873 million in 2013.

“An extended cold period in December 2013 posed challenges, but the dedication and hard work of our growers and shippers, in combination with a disciplined sales strategy, allowed us to achieve positive results,” Russell Hanlin, Sunkist president and chief executive officer, said in a press release.

Bob Besix, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Country Fresh Mushroom Co., headquartered in Avondale, PA, said that Lisa Mace, who joined its transportation team in July of 2013, has been promoted to sales and customer service manager.

From its North American headquarters in Vero Beach, FL, Seald Sweet International and its global partner the Belgium-based UNIVEG Group are positioned as an international fruit “gateway to North America” and are looking forward to having home field advantage at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando Feb. 26-28.

Supplies of asparagus from Mexico have been lighter than usual this winter, causing a strong market that will likely remain well into March.

Cory Stahl, sales manager of Progressive Produce Corp. in Los Angeles, told The Produce News on Tuesday, Feb. 17, that Mexico typically hits a supply peak in asparagus in the mid-February to mid-March period. “Basically this year, there’s not going to be a peak,” he said. “It just hasn’t happened.”

Dandrea Produce has entered into a joint venture with Mas Melons & Grapes. “Our business with the company began over 15 years ago and has gradually but consistently increased with larger product volumes each year,” Frank Dandrea, president of Dandrea Produce, headquartered in Vineland, NJ, told The Produce News. “This alliance attests to how our relationship with their company has developed into a major program for Dandrea.”

The venture was finalized the week of Feb. 9.