The 2012 harvest of Medjool dates in the Bard Valley of California is “significantly larger than last year, which was larger than the year before, so this growth curve we are on continues,” said David Anderson, marketing director for the Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Association in Bard, CA, in an interview with The Produce News.

The Giumarra Cos. announce the hiring of Gary Caloroso to its avocado and asparagus sales staff. He will serve as director of marketing and will be based in the firm's Escondido, CA, office.

Kingston & Associates Marketing LLC, based in Idaho Falls, ID, announced that it is increasing its import volumes of mangos from Ecuador in response to high customer demand and holiday promotions.

Misionero Vegetables, a family-owned-and-operated business, showcased its new flavorful and nutritional salads at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA, and was awarded Best New Product Launch.

“We looked at emerging trends in the fresh-cut category and found consumers are incorporating vegetables with a high nutrient content or ‘super foods’ into their diets,” Alicia Blanco, marketing manager, said in a press release. “Our Baby Kale and Superfood Blends are the perfect fit for the savvy consumer.”

Rainier Fruit Co., which will exhibit at booth No. 500 at this year's New York Produce Show & Conference, is armed with a strong message designed to increase retail apple sales. "According to AC Nielsen, sales data from September 2011 through April 2012, showed the 'other' category increased over 50 percent in both sales dollars and volume," Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter told The Produce News Nov. 1. "This presents an opportunity for retailers to shift their focus to new varieties and drive additional dollars through the department."

On Oct. 25 produce industry veteran Jan DeLyser officially assumed the role of chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, as the association kicked off Fresh Summit 2012 with a theme of “Say Hello to the Future.”

Ms. DeLyser begins her PMA chairmanship nearly a quarter-century after she first volunteered for PMA as a member of the education committee in 1988, when she was working at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council.