John Shuman knows a thing or two about marketing sweet onions. As president of Shuman Produce Inc. in Reidsville, GA, he has helped launch some memorable campaigns, most notably the decade-old Produce for Kids program that supports Children's Miracle Network hospitals and PBS Kids.

After weathering a quirky spring season and then an unseasonably mild summer, Peri & Sons Farms in Yerington, NV, found itself challenged at harvest during the wettest October that Nevada had seen in more than 30 years.

David Peri, president and chief executive officer of Peri & Sons, expressed concern during the third week of October, when most of the onion fields were in the last stages of harvest.

In the first accreditation of an American facility, Naktuinbouw, the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture, has certified the quality- assurance department of Nunhems USA, a subsidiary of Bayer CropScience, in Parma, ID.

According to information provided by Nunhems, the Naktuinbouw Accredited Laboratory certification reflects Nunhems' quality management systems, including laboratory practices, validated and approved protocols, analyst competence and training, and internal and external auditing.

Limited volume of Rainier Fruit Co.'s Junami apple variety is available commercially for the 2010-11 season, and Marketing Director Suzanne Wolter said that the sweet-tart fruit will be in stores starting in late January or early February.

Ms. Wolter said that promotion of the late-maturing apple, which is bright red, is being aimed at a youthful, active audience. She also explained that the unusual name, with the accent on the last syllable, translates roughly to "friendship and use" in several European Romantic languages.

Dennis Baird, vice president of Coastal Inc., said that the softening U.S. economy has been tough on distributors of fresh produce. But he told The Produce News, "I think the economic problems we've had show us we can survive. Business has been steady-as-you-go."

Coastal distributes commodities to outlets in its home base of Portland, OR, as well as Seattle and Spokane, WA. Volume sold in Seattle and Portland has remained relatively stable, while volume has increased in Spokane.

According to Phillip Brooks, "The highlight of the year for us as a company" was having a second produce firm, Brings Co., move into the same New Brighton, MN, facility as H. Brooks & Co. Brings Co. and its employees moved into Brooks' warehouse on April 24. Mr. Brooks, chief executive officer of H. Brooks, said that Brings has kept its own corporate identity. Brings President Pat Coan runs the company, as always, and Beth Arel remains Brings’ sales manager.