Safeway Inc., based in Pleasanton, CA, announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, executive vice president of retail operations. Kelly Griffith, president of merchandising, will succeed Mr. Everette in the post.

Hundreds of spring breakers from around the world took part in the inaugural Del Monte Fresh "Beach Bash Dash" in Daytona Beach, FL. The event was part of a new campaign to promote healthful eating habits among college students, in response to growing concerns that youths aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables.

The students competed head-to-head in a beach obstacle course that included a variety of healthy and fun challenges and enjoyed plenty of bananas. Students even participated in a massive "Banana Dance" featuring Del Monte's famous full-body banana suits.

With more consumers looking for healthy food options, demand for food that is tasty and good for you is on the rise. In the midst of that kind of market, Nature Fresh Farms is promoting its specialty category of grape tomatoes that come in a convenient packaging and are branded under the "Sweet Temptations" line.

“We received our SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification in the past year,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “And we have expanded in other ways. Our foodservice, retail and club store customer banks have been added to with outstanding customers. And we have expanded our capacity to provide 365-day-a-year service.”

Southern Specialties is currently shipping asparagus out of Mexico and Peru. Asparagus from Peru is currently seasonally light.

“We have had a rough year because of the weather-related damage to our 2012 apple crop in New York,” Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, headquartered in Fishers, NY, told The Produce News. “But we are coming back strong this year. And we plan to be very aggressive in our markets this year. We are already working on regaining those markets that we were displaced in because we did not have normal volumes last year, and we are going to get them back.”

In my last article titled “Are you overlooking invisible shrink,” I discussed the fact that retailers measure shrink primarily at the store level. From the moment product arrives at the store until it is sold, management holds produce managers accountable for their shrink.