Record cold in the Treasure Valley of Idaho-Eastern Oregon has done nothing to slow the staff at Champion Produce Sales in Parma, ID, where the holidays have set the pace.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association made a major commitment to buy and outfit the “Wisconsin Spudmobile.” The purchase was made early this year. After a great deal of customized refitting, the Spudmobile hit the road in August and since then has barely stopped moving.

In mid-November, Dana Rady, who is director of promotion, communication and consumer education for the association, reported that her members are getting a great deal of in-state bang for their promotional buck. The association (WPVGA) is based in Antigo, WI.

Freshline Foods, a leading processor of fresh cut, value-added fruits and vegetables, announced that it will expand its fresh-cut apple product offerings with the launch of new Honeycrisp apple slices.

Dick Keim, who had a very active life and storied produce career stretching from citrus to tomatoes to avocados died on Nov. 27 at the age of 80.

In celebration of #GivingTuesday, Food Lion is surprising clients at local hunger relief agencies in the Charlotte, NC, Salisbury, NC, and Roanoke, VA, with $25 Food Lion gift cards.

As clients arrive at these agencies on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for a daily meal or food distribution, Food Lion associates will greet them with gift cards. This donation, part of the nationally celebrated #GivingTuesday event, will provide more than 110,000 holiday meals to individuals and families in need.

River Point Farms, a leading onion producer, announced it has broken ground on a new 70,000-square-foot whole onion packaging facility featuring state-of-the-art equipment. When complete, River Point Farms will operate over 95,000 square feet of whole onion packaging and shipping facilities at the company's headquarters in Hermiston, OR.