COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina Watermelon Association's annual meeting here set a marketing plan for 2015, crowned a queen, heard research reports on grafting and other topics, reviewed culinary trends, set an increased effort to brand watermelon as a sports enhancer and raised $233,000 for its operations in the year ahead.

COLUMBIA, SC — About 150 watermelon growers and suppliers attended the Jan. 16-18 South Carolina Watermelon Association annual meeting here. The association set a marketing plan for 2015 and crowned a queen, as well as set an increased effort to brand watermelon as a sports enhancer and raised $233,000 for its operations in the year ahead.

Price Chopper has raised more than $170,000 — an increase of almost 10 percent more than was raised in 2013 — from its month-long pin-up campaign and the sale of more than 8,600 plush hippos for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is the 13th year the regional supermarket chain has partnered with St. Jude, and to date Price Chopper has raised more than $1 million through its annual fundraiser.

The United Fresh Produce Association formally announced its new association logo and redesigned website www.unitedfresh.org.

LoBue Citrus’ Heritage Reserve Navel oranges will return in February for a limited time at select retailers in the United States.

With 10 years of service under its chassis, LD Logistics LLC of the Bronx, NY, expects 2015 to be a good year with moderate growth.

Lance Dichter, who is the general manager and founder of the company, said he does not have much new to report, other than business is good. “We had a good year last year; it was the best year we ever had.”

Dichter founded the company about a decade ago as a dry freight hauler. He quickly moved into the perishable commodities business and has seen his business grow every year. He indicated that the recession did not slow him down.