Homero Levy De Barros, president and chief executive officer of HLB Specialties LLC in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News that the company is currently importing large and small papayas, mangos and limes.

“The rambutan season just wrapped up and will start again in March or April,” Mr. De Barros said. “We’re also moving avocados from Mexico and Peru.

George Wooten, president of Wayne E. Bailey Produce Co., in Chadbourn, NC, is in a celebratory mood this year in celebration of its rebranding initiative. It has rebranded its line of sweet potatoes and other items from its past “Playboy” brand to the new “George Foods” brand, using Mr. Wooten’s father’s signature as its logo.

The company is also known for its generosity, especially during times of the year when people are most in need.

CERRITOS, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council's annual Holiday Luncheon & Charity Auction raised close to $60,000 for two very worthwhile programs: Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The event, which was held Dec. 12 at the Sheraton Hotel, here, featured Celebrity Guest Auctioneer Frankie Avalon and industry auction hosts Kent Kuwata of Smart & Final and Bill Laliberte of WJL Distributors.

White Diamond Farms, a sister company of Tomato Thyme Corp., based in Wimauma, FL, has launched a new line of salsas that utilizes the Tasti-Lee tomato variety.

Beginning the week of Dec. 17, customers were be able to purchase the line in Publix stores. The new Tasti-Lee salsas are available in three flavors of the fresh thick and chunky style: Mild Mannered, Happy Medium and Hot Tempered.

Salinas, CA-based Mann Packing Co., a leading supplier of fresh vegetables, is increasing shipment of its French bean items for the holidays.

Sales of the eight-ounce bag of washed, ready-to-eat French beans are growing, and the company is shipping promotional level volume through the holidays and into 2013.

Tavilla Sales Co. of Los Angeles, which is headquartered in Los Angeles with branch offices in Nogales and Phoenix, AZ, and which for about the past six years has had half ownership in New Jersey-based Vision Import Group, has changed its name to Vision Produce Co. The transition took place the beginning of September this year, according to John Caldwell, general manager of the company’s Arizona operations.