Tim O’Connor, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Potato Board in Denver,  has accepted an offer to lead a marketing agency dedicated to the Mexican avocado industry, formed jointly by the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association and the Association of Mexican Avocado Producers & Packers.

WASHINGTON — The produce industry is losing a top supporter at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Kathleen Merrigan announced she is resigning as deputy secretary.

A vocal champion of the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, Ms. Merrigan is best known for advocating USDA programs that support local and regional farmers, though she had a hand in many programs throughout her tenure. As deputy secretary, she oversees the day-to-day operation of USDA and spearheads the $149 billion USDA budget process.

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FRESNO, CA — In its third year, the Fresno Food Expo, held here March 14, attracted 643 buyers who came to see 125 exhibitors of food products, including over 30 fresh produce suppliers.

Next year the show should expand to more than 300 exhibitors by pursuing fresh produce companies and moving the 2014 expo date to July.

California shipped a record 101.5 million boxes (100.1 million 19-pound box equivalents) of fresh California grapes during the 2012 season.  

The 2012 season started with shipments in early May and continued through January 2013. California produces 99 percent of the commercial fresh grapes grown in the United Sates.  

"Grapes from California are a popular choice in the U.S. and around the world," Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission, based in Fresno, said in a press release.

JemD Farms, a leading greenhouse vegetable grower based in Leamington, ON, is adding to its greenhouse farm portfolio with a state-of-the-art farm and distribution center in Virginia.

The new project was announced March 15 during a press conference by Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell. The US operation will add to the company's current 400-plus acres of production. The U.S. operation will be located in the town of Dublin, VA, and will be harvested and marketed under the "Red Sun" label.