Peter Forrence, one of three cousins who owns Forrence Orchards in Peru, NY, told The Produce News in mid-December that the McIntosh, Cortland and Honeycrisp are, respectively, the three top apples that the company produces. However, the firm, which benefits from its nearly two centuries of growing experience, also produces several other varieties.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, which begins with 24 days of celebration starting Jan. 31, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, has developed a health-centered promotion for the Year of the Horse.

The Southeast Produce Council will honor one of its founding members, Tom Page, with its 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award during the council's annual convention and trade show later this winter in Florida.

One month after the week-long hard freeze in the citrus-growing areas of central California, growers were continuing to assess damage. While no figures were yet available for the industry as a whole, the effects of the widespread freeze were extremely variable, with damage ranging from negligible in some blocks to extensive in other blocks.

Unofficially, as of early January it was appearing that the total loss to the remaining on-tree crop could be 30 percent or more.

Momentum continues to build in The Oppenheimer Group's berry category, with fruit grown in the Golden State making its debut in the Oppy label.

The full-service Vancouver-based produce marketer is currently shipping conventional strawberries from Coachella and Oxnard, with organic strawberries starting in February.

More than 2,500 companies from nearly 80 countries will have their goods and services on exhibit at the 2014 Fruit Logistica Berlin exhibition and convention on Feb. 5-7 at ExpoCenter City. And hundreds of thousands of visitors will be there to view them.