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.

Dale (Doug) Bernard, a produce and floral industry veteran who was known for his work in importing and distributing fresh chili peppers in the United States and Canada, died Oct. 24 in Miami. He was 69.

Starting in 1968, Mr. Bernard became active in a business venture in El Salvador, Pavos S.A., which produced and marketed frozen turkeys throughout the Central American market. He remained an active part of this business through the end of his life.

ANAHEIM, CA — The food culture in America is changing, and the fresh produce industry is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the changing desires of consumers.

That was one of the topics discussed at a workshop held Friday, Oct. 26, during the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, here.

The Nunes Co. has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement for organic vegetables with public television's No. 1 cooking show, “America's Test Kitchen,” for 2013.

“We have just started a year-round lemon program. That is new for Homegrown organic Farms,” said Scott Mabs, director of marketing.

The expanded lemon program was made possible with the acquisition of some new ranches in Southern California, he said. “We now have lemons in all three [California] districts. It will allow us to continue a lemon program year round for our customers.”

Mariani Nut Co. in Winters, CA, which specializes in California walnuts, California almonds and pecans from various parts of the United States, has seen broader use of its products for a variety of applications throughout the year in recent years than in times past. Still, they remain “a core item for the holiday season,” according to Matt Mariani, who oversees the company’s sales and marketing activities.

“We are fortunate now that our items do sell year round,” he said, “but the holidays are still a very important time, and it is definitely our peak selling season.”