In light of the mango recall that occurred at the end of the 2012 season, San Diego-based Coast Tropical has spent much of its time, energy and resources in 2013 making sure all of its mango providers have top notch food safety programs in place and have achieved all the necessary certifications.

The crowning event of that effort was the construction of a dedicated state-of-the-art packing facility in the Los Mochis district in Northern Sinaloa in Mexico.

Without hesitation, Ronnie Cohen, who is vice president of sales for Vision Import Group LLC in River Edge, NJ, and a former chairman of the National Mango Board, said the time to promote mangos is now often. “Promote! Promote! Promote!” he said.

It has long been known that the retail sales of mangos are very dependent upon promotions. The better the perceived value by the U.S. consumer, the more likely they are to buy the world’s most popular fruit. Cohen said the fall months should offer ample opportunities to promote for most retailers.

This summer, the National Mango Board hosted its second free Mango Temperature Management & Ripening Webinar for retailers and importers in an effort to expose more industry personnel to proper handling techniques for the tropical fruit. The webinar provided attendees with information on the importance of proper temperature management to enhance consumers’ mango-eating experience.

Southern Specialties Inc., a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, has expanded its presence in Guatemala with an increase in its Persian limes.

RPE-Colorado anticipates moving a quality crop of potatoes from the San Luis Valley this season. “The harvest of our local Colorado crop is underway currently, as well as our growing partners’ crops,” said Randy Shell, vice president of marketing and new business development. “We will be in full swing harvesting our potatoes around Sept. 9 and should wrap up harvest around the first week of October.”

The parent company, RPE Inc., is located in Bancroft, WI.

Earlier this year, Strohauer Farms, based in LaSalle, CO, launched a potato program in northeastern New Mexico. Harry Strohauer, owner/grower, said the move was brought about by water shortages in Colorado, and a portion of his conventional bulk potatoes were grown in the neighboring state, then brought to Colorado for packing and shipping.

Conventional Yukons from New Mexico started in late July, followed by russets in early August.