The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Association is working on parallel tracks to increase acreage dedicated to the signature fruit while at the same time providing consumers with continued assurances that cantaloupes are safe to consume and enjoy this summer.

Del Monte Fresh Produce announced its second of four weekly aspiring chef winners of its "Find Your Inner Chef" online contest.

Karen Gulkin from Greeley, CO, will have the opportunity to move on to the Cook Off Challenge event that will be held in Miami.

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has launched a special section of its website to update industry on the Food Safety Modernization Act as it pertains to leafy greens. The new section can be accessed via the homepage of the LGMA at www.lgma.ca.gov.  

Axiall Corp., a new Atlanta-based company created by the merger of Georgia Gulf and PPG Industries in January, provides a safe, simple and cost-effective water treatment option for food packing and fresh-cut industries through its Accu-Tab tablet chlorination system.

BEN VALLEJO, a 15-year veteran with The Oppenheimer Group, was promoted to sales manager of the company's Chino Hills, CA, office, effective April 1.

Mr. Vallejo, who had been an Oppy sales representative since 2007, now leads the seven-person team responsible for marketing the company’s products in the southwestern United States, as well as national foodservice business development.

The Florida legislature agreed to fund $9.5 million in research-related activities to combat HLB, also known as citrus greening, which threatens to wipe out Florida's $9 billion citrus industry and its 76,000 jobs.