As farmland in Orange County, CA, becomes increasingly scarce due to urban development, Orange County Produce in Irvine, CA, has found it expedient to look beyond the confines of Orange County for its strawberry production.

With the formation of a new partnership with a farming family in Oxnard, CA, Orange County Produce is now selling strawberries from Oxnard district packed in the “Ventura County Farms” label along with strawberries grown in Orange County and packed in the “Orange County Farms” label.

The Produce Marketing Association announced Feb. 19 the departure of Lorna Christie, executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Feb. 28.

Ms. Christie is leaving to pursue her goal of consulting with companies ready to take their next steps in establishing a business model based on integrated strategic communications, including crisis mitigation, management and public affairs, according to a press release issued by PMA.

When cantaloupe has been in the news of late, that news has not been good. A new organization, the Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association, hopes to change that by implementing a vetting and auditing process that could provide a competitive edge for members and peace of mind for retailers, wholesalers and consumers.

Farmington Fresh, a Stockton, CA-based cherry, apple and pear packer, has moved its sales and marketing to Rivermaid Trading Co. in Lodi, CA.

The Farmington Fresh agreement, together with the stone fruit and grape volume added through its purchase of Wespak Sales and Enns Packing in 2012, represents an additional 2 million cartons for Rivermaid. The additional volume places Rivermaid among California's larger fresh cherry growers and marketers.

Phil Colson, former president of C&E Farms, headquartered in Cheriton, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, died Feb. 14 at his winter home on Marco Island, FL, following a battle with emphysema. He was 76.

The Vidalia Onion Committee hosted its annual awards banquet Feb. 16 at the Hawks Point Golf Club in Vidalia, GA, for growers in the seven-county south Georgia area that is home to production of the famous sweet onion. Ray Farms Inc. in Glennville, GA, was named Grower of the Year. The award was presented to Danny Ray by Committee Chairman Kevin Hendrix of Hendrix Produce in Metter, GA. Named to the Vidalia Onion Growers Hall of Fame were Buck Shuman, who was inducted by his son John Shuman of Shuman Produce Inc.