The California Avocado Commission will look to build on the success of last year's integrated marketing program designed to put California avocados on picnic tables, at barbecues and everywhere consumers are gathered for Fourth of July celebrations.

The program includes television advertising in California, general market radio, print and online advertising, public relations outreach, in-store retail support, new recipes, online and social media activities.

MIAMI — Kara Adanalian of Fresno, CA, took top honors in the Del Monte Fresh "Find Your Inner Chef" competition, besting runner-up Karen Gulkin of Greeley, CO, in a cook off held June 15 at the Miami Culinary Institute, here.

Adanalian earned the title and the grand prize of a retreat for two to the Napa Valley Culinary Institute for her winning recipe, red pepper and avocado-stuffed chicken breast with pastry gremolata and white wine reduction.

Produce for Kids has donated more than $4.1 million to children’s charitable concerns, including the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and DonorsChoose.org. The program brings grower-shippers and retailers together to help raise funds that stay in the local community.

Jakov P. Dulcich and Sons, a California-based grower-shipper of premium table grapes, hired Kevin Andrew as its new chief operating officer.

Andrew joins the Dulcich team with 33 years of experience in the produce industry, having served as COO at both Sun World International and, most recently, Columbine Vineyards.

Turbana, the Miami-based company representing the Colombian co-op of independent banana growers and the fourth largest importer of bananas in the United States, has positioned itself as a socially responsible organization focusing on sustainability and bettering lives in all communities it serves.

Its latest efforts include a partnership with Price Chopper and Produce for Kids; continuing support for the One Laptop per Child initiative; and an upcoming project, again partnering with Price Chopper, to donate salad bars to U.S. schools.

Peter Dandrea, fresh out of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the fourth generation at Dandrea Produce Inc., recently came on board full time at the Vineland, NJ-based company and is off to a fast start.

The 22-year-old son of Dandrea Produce Vice President Steven Dandrea already holds the title of logistics coordinator for West Coast farms, logistics coordinator, import programs, and logistics director for the company’s direct store delivery program.