Culinary experts often claim that “what grows together, goes together,” and Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos — who grew up in the heart of Pacific Northwest pear country, home to 84 percent of the U.S. fresh pear crop — proves this adage rings true.

In mid-January, Karen Brux, the North America managing director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association and the marketing director for the Chilean Avocado Importers Association, headquartered in San Carlos, CA, provided The Produce News with import data on Chilean produce exports for the current season, adding comments on products that have notable volume changes.

Following several years of research and review to protect and support superior standards of excellence in food safety and quality, the North American Greenhouse Hothouse Vegetable Growers Association announced in 2008 that it had launched a “Certified Greenhouse” program.

Doug Kling is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Village Farms LP, with U.S. headquarters in Heathrow, FL. The company is a major high-tech greenhouse grower with numerous growing locations in North America.

“We can offer our retail partners a fully integrated custom value proposition using a sustainable marketing platform for our greenhouse-grown varieties through exclusive offerings and customized programs,” said Kling.

United Supermarkets LLC opened its newest freestanding United Express convenience store Wednesday, Jan. 29 near the site of its next new store, at 34th and Soncy in Amarillo, TX.

The 2,400 square-foot store is located east of the company’s newest United Supermarkets location, which is slated to open March 5.

The Amarillo location is the company’s eighth freestanding convenience store under the United Express banner. The company also operates 19 other United Express fuel kiosks at its supermarket locations.

Kevin Hoppe, a well-known advertising salesman who has been involved in the produce industry for more than 30 years, died  at home early Feb. 6 surrounded by his family following a 10-month battle with colon cancer.