The Mexican Association of Protected Agriculture held its fifth annual Business & Technical Congress Aug. 22-25 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, featuring a global perspective of the challenges and opportunities faced today by protected agriculture.

Attendees included representatives from five countries, federal and state government agencies, international associations, products and services suppliers, as well as leading growers, distributors and marketers from the North American produce industry.

“This season’s harvesting began on August 16 and will continue through the end of October,” said Stephanie Williams, domestic sales and marketing manager for Scott Farms Inc. in Lucama, NC. “In terms of weather, the overall season has seen plentiful: above-average rainfall; midsummer was very hot, but we had a fairly temperate spring and a milder late summer.

George Wooten, president of Wayne E. Bailey, headquartered in Chadbourn, NC, told The Produce News that the company will have a double presence at the annual Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, CA.

Sun-Glo of Idaho Inc. has joined Fresh Solutions Network LLC, a partnership of multi-generational potato and onion companies committed to driving profitable category growth through innovative marketing, category management and operational solutions.  

Sunsweet Growers Inc., the nation's leading marketer of prunes, specialty dried fruit products and fruit juices based in Yuba City, CA, announced that Dane Lance, current chief operating officer, will assume the presidency of the company, effective Oct. 1.

PRO*ACT, a leading distributor of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, presented a check Oct. 3 for $50,000 through its foundation to support the United Fresh Produce Association and First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.