A $40,000 specialty crop grant from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture is being used by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee's export committee to seek additional outlets for Spanish Sweets in foreign markets.

The Idaho Falls Race to Feed the Hungry is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and Potandon Produce is partnering with Personal Best Performance, the event sponsor. As the largest monetary contributor to the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank, this event is critical to helping local Idaho families in times of need.

“Fresh produce doesn’t wait for a holiday to pass before it gets on its way to its destination,” said Ana Ramos, co-owner with her husband, Frank, of the Perishable Specialist Inc., headquartered in Miami. “Delivering perishables to their destination in the best possible condition means that they must move as quickly and efficiently as humanly possible — and that’s what we mean to accomplish every day of the year.”

Gourmet Trading Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, handles conventional and organic blueberries out of Chile. The company is also a leading supplier of other year-round quality fruits and vegetables.

Chloé Varennes, marketing manager for the company, said that conventional blueberries from Chile will run from November through April this season. Its organic blueberry program runs from November to February.

Nelly Yunta, vice president of Customized Brokers, headquartered in Miami, said that because the company specializes in fresh produce, a streamlined process is essential in the services it offers.

“Produce doesn’t have time to sit at ports so we work seven days a week to consolidate where possible, reduce paperwork and coordinate with truckers to ensure that products get to their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Yunta.

RIO RICO, AZ — Hot peppers and soft squash are on the expanding new product list of Golden Desert Produce LLC, which is located here. The hot peppers will be available from March through May.

The soft squash, available from December through February, will be yellow squash and zucchini, said Gabriel (Gabe) Nunez, Golden Desert’s managing member and sales manager. The firm is shipping “Golden Desert” and other squash brands.