The Dec. 17 announcement of a restoration of full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba has some produce industry members intrigued with the prospect of future trade with Cuba.

Avocados from Mexico will extend its Guac Fiesta campaign to reach the Hispanic trade in key markets. The program is designed to drive consumption of Avocados From Mexico through aggressive retail promotion in key Hispanic markets during prime football season and the Super Bowl.

Once again, the Washington State Potato Commission and Oregon Potato Commission have joined forces in the planning and execution of the 2015 Washington/Oregon Potato Conference, to be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA, Jan. 27-29. This is the sixth year the two commissions have teamed up, and the venue continues to be well attended.

RIO RICO, AZ — Entering its second season in the Nogales area is a relatively new office of Coliman Pacific Corp.

Juan Carlos Chavez heads the office and works in sales with Daniel (Danny) Lopez. Diana Rangel provides support in the office, which opened in October 2013.

The selection committee for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has announced three distinguished leaders will be inducted into the FCHOF during the 53rd Citrus Celebration Luncheon March 6 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Nicholas (Nick) D. Faryna (deceased), formerly of Umatilla, FL, Sherwood J. (Buddy) Johnson, of Ft. Pierce, FL, and John C. Updike, Sr. (deceased), formerly of Lake Wales, FL, will be honored at the luncheon.

Albertsons and Safeway Inc. have entered into agreements, subject to approval by the Federal Trade Commission, to sell 168 stores across eight states to four buyers: Associated Food Stores, Associated Wholesale Grocers, SuperValu and Haggen.

Associated Food Stores will purchase eight stores in Montana and Wyoming; Associated Wholesale Grocers/Minyards will purchase 12 stores in Texas; SuperValu will purchase two stores in Washington; and Haggen will purchase 146 stores across Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.