A couple of weeks of above-normal temperatures since the middle of January have helped bring on vegetables supplies in the western desert areas causing f.o.b. prices to come off their highs.

In early- to mid-January, light supplies had Iceberg lettuce prices approaching $30 per carton and most other vegetables items in the high teens or in the $20 arena. But high temperatures in the 70s in Yuma, AZ, and California’s Imperial Valley brought on fields more quickly and increased supplies.

Natural foods retailer PCC Natural Markets has hired Cate Hardy as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 23. She brings more than 15 years of retail experience in general management, retail operations, supply chain, growth and store development, and strategy. She was selected following a national search conducted by PCC’s board of trustees. She joins PCC from Starbucks Coffee Co.

Love Beets, a line of premium, all-natural, ready-to-eat beets, has expanded its growing product line with the introduction of a new Organic Beet Juice, which will hit grocery store shelves nationwide later this month.

Roger Christensen, who co-owns Maverick Potato Co. in Center, CO, with Michael Kruse, said the operation’s second full season could well run a bit longer than last year’s, with quality and supplies both good at the midwinter point.

Ronald Bown, president of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), accompanied Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on her first visit to Delaware and the port of Wilmington.  They were joined by Chile’s Minister of Agriculture Carlos Furche, Foreign Trade Minister Heraldo Muñoz and other ASOEX representatives.

With new sources and new packaging, 2015 is under way in a big, bright way for The Oppenheimer Group’s berry category.