The Hass Avocado Board in Irvine, CA, announced in a press release Jan. 12 that it has named Emiliano Escobedo as the organization's new executive director, effective Jan. 16, a position previously held by Jose Luis Obregon, who resigned in October to become a partner in his family's business, IPR Fresh in Nogales, AZ.

Officials associated with the potato industry in the Pacific Northwest have indicated that acreage planted to potatoes in Oregon and Washington increased this season.

Keith Horder, L&M director of business development, told The Produce News that the company continues to carry a full line of apple varieties, including organics.