With production in Mexico and three California districts, Eclipse Berry Farms LLC in Los Angeles is in the strawberry business every day of the year, according to Suart Gilfenbain, a salesman with the company.

In California, Eclipse grows strawberries in Oxnard, Santa Maria and Watsonville. The Santa Maria program, which consists of 300 acres of Albion and Monterey strawberries, is new this year.

This May, The Oso Sweet Co. is partnering with Vidalia onion grower Stanley Farms to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

Northern California received significant amounts of much-needed rainfall during the last week of March and first day of April, with Central California receiving smaller amounts. The central and northern Sierra Mountains received significant snowfall as well.

With California in its third year of what has been called the worst drought in a century, and with many farms already facing severe water cuts and dropping water tables, growers welcomed the rain and snow, but while it will improve the water situation somewhat in the state, it won’t come close to making up the shortfall.

Karen Brux, managing director North America for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in San Carlos, CA, said that she feels it is fair to say that this has been a very challenging season for everyone involved in Chilean fruit, from growers and exporters to importers, wholesalers and retailers.  

The sixth annual DOLE California Cook-Off recipe contest is accepting gas grilling recipes using at least one Dole Packaged Foods product at Dole.com/cookoff.

The Kroger Co. announced that Senior Vice President Robert (Pete) Williams plans to retire in May after 37 years with the company.  

Williams has served in his current role since 2007. Today, he leads seven supermarket divisions. His replacement will be named at a later date.