A decade ago, the still-new Southeast Produce Council held its first Southern Exposure trade show with less than 100 businesses participating. This year, hundreds from the industry will gather at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, Feb. 28-March 2, more than 230 companies will be exhibiting on the trade show floor and there is a waiting list both for booth space and entrance to this year’s keynote luncheon.

When Richard Ruiz, president of Ruiz Sales, an Edinburg, TX-based importer and distributor of tropical items from Mexico, was approached by Texas retailer H.E.B. about running a Super Bowl-themed lime promotion, he gladly accepted the challenge.

After all, the promotion presented an opportunity to move more fruit and to give consumers what he believes are the highest-quality limes in the area.

A California Air Resource Board regulation that became effective Jan. 1 could soon be used to fine California shippers or receivers that allow non-compliant trucks to load or unload at their facilities.

That was one of the take-home messages of a “2013 Transportation Preview” webinar conducted Feb. 20 by C.H. Robinson officials and hosted by Western Growers Association.

Del Fresco Produce Ltd. will be a part of an educational segment featured on “American Farmer.” The first broadcast will be Feb. 24 on Fox Business at 4:30 p.m.

International sales of packaging products continue to grow for Kurt Zuhlke & Associates Inc., helping the firm diversify its options and remain strong.

Diversification is the same reason Kurt Zuhlke Jr. gave for making a push for sales in the bakery industry. “Produce packaging is still the main part of our business,” he said, “but we are just starting to get into the bakery packaging business.”

A cold winter storm that plowed through California and moved east through Arizona the week of Feb. 18-22 is expected to have an impact on vegetable supplies in the short term.

The storm came down the coast and through the Central Valley on Tuesday dropping a few inches of snow at the higher altitudes and pelting fields and orchards with freezing rain and occasional hail. The storm moved quickly through each area so lasting damage appeared to be minimal.