Just 25 years ago, the people of Colombia were caught in a vise of poverty and terror. Powerful drug organizations like Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel and southern Colombia’s Cali Cartel battled for control of the country’s finances, politics and people. As much as half of the country’s economy came from the cocaine trade, and that product had surpassed even coffee as Colombia’s leading export. In the struggle for control, thousands were killed and honest citizens found they had no means of support.

Ready Pac's Disney-themed Ready Pac Cool Cuts salads and mini-meals line was awarded a PMA Impact Award for packaging excellence at Fresh Summit 2012, held Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, CA.

Initially named one of 25 finalists from a pool of 61 entries, the salad and mini meals line was one of six award winners.

ANAHEIM, CA -- Seth Mattison, a renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics, helped kick off the 2012 PMA Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, here, Oct. 26 with a fun and informative workshop entitled "Closing the Gap: Engaging Multiple Generations in Today's Dynamic Marketplace." During his presentation, Mr. Mattison advised attendees about how to truly understand today's customers, sales and marketing professionals by first gaining a clear understanding of the different generations that consume the marketplace.

ANAHEIM, CA — The e-revolution is changing the produce industry, including how product is grown and tracked as well as how consumers make purchases.

“As landscapes change, the things you’ll need to do in order to compete will change,” Kevin Coupe of MorningNewsBeat.com said at an educational session titled "The Innovation Conversation: How to Survive the e-Revolution” held at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, here.

BLYTHEWOOD, SC—The nation’s largest producer of banana-ripening equipment is going bananas, you might say, with a $1.2 million expansion that has doubled its production space to 28,000 square feet in tiny Blythewood, SC, a town with about 2,000 residents about 16 miles north of Columbia, the state capital.

Thermal Technologies Inc., here, has built patented ripening systems that handle 100 million pounds of bananas a day and in 25 years has cornered about 70 percent of the market for banana ripening systems. It also produces equipment to ripen stone fruit, avocados and pears.

ANAHEIM, CA - Brazilian melon grower Itaueira Farms was a first-time sponsor of the fourth annual PMA Foundation for Industry Talent's 5k Race for Talent, and the success of the sponsorship will have it running back next year.