On Sept. 19, Jason Bell, account manager for Tater Man, headquartered in Sydney, FL, told The Produce News that the company’s 2013 sweet potato crop was about half way harvested.

“Our yields are down by between 20-30 percent,” said Bell. “Jumbo sizes are taking the biggest hit, and are therefore getting the biggest tick on pricing because demand is outweighing supply. This is where we’re seeing the most notable difference currently.”

“We will be at booth number 3823 at the PMA Fresh Summit in New Orleans in October, and the excitement is building on behalf of our team to showcase our full line of retail and foodservice items,” Peter Wilder, marketing director for To-Jo Mushrooms Inc. in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News. “On display will be our Portabella Slider Caps and Club Packs in 20-ounce sliced and 24-ounce whole.”

Village Farms has been selected as a PMA Impact Award Finalist for its new innovative 500-gram Rinse and Serve 'Lip Smackn' Grape' reusable tomato bowl.

The PMA Impact Award winners will be announced on Friday, Oct. 18 at the State of the Industry brunch general session at 10:30 a.m.

The bowl's unique design is the first of its kind for the tomato category in a larger value-added size. Village Farms' rinse-and-serve bowl will be on display in the Innovation at Work destination area located outside the exposition hall in the main lobby.

Taylor Farms Retail announced an 80,000-square-foot expansion of its cut vegetable facility in Monterey County, CA. The expansion will more than double capacity of the existing facility, bringing the plant to 135,000 square feet on 21 acres. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in early April.

Gentile Bros. Co., one of the country's oldest active produce companies, which until recently was The Blue Book's oldest Trading Member, has gone out of business.

Founded in 1881, Gentile was a repacker and distributor that served retail, foodservice and processing customers throughout the Midwest.

Attempts to contact the Cincinnati-based company Oct. 11 were unsuccessful. Gentile's website was also inactive.

Safeway Inc. has decided to exit the Chicago market and focus its efforts in other operating areas where its business is stronger. Part of the plan includes the sale of four of its Chicago-area Dominick's stores to New Albertsons Inc., which operates Jewel-Osco grocery stores.

During a short transition period, the stores will continue to operate under the Dominick's banner until Jewel-Osco can complete its conversion to Jewel-Osco stores.