TUBAC, AZ — Leaders in Mexico's produce industry indicate that they -- and their counterparts -- fully recognize that matters of social responsibility are not only morally correct, but also important to the future of their business community.

Panelists spoke about this Oct. 30 during an educational session at the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas annual convention, here Oct. 30-Nov. 1, at the historic Tubac Golf Resort, which is a 20-minute drive north of Nogales, AZ. Moderating the educational sessions was Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president.

The inaugural Produce Marketing Association Fruittrade Latin America will kick off shortly in Santiago, Chile, through the collaboration of PMA, Fedefruta (the growers association of Chile) and Yentzen Consulting Group. The first-of-its-kind event for South America is scheduled for Nov. 12-13 and will replace both Fedefruta’s and PMA’s long-standing individual conventions in the region.

Monterey Mushrooms Inc., a leading mushroom supplier based in Watsonville, CA, has hired veteran retailer Mike O'Brien as vice president of sales and marketing. He assumes the position Nov. 10 and will report to Shah Kazemi, president and chief executive officer.

Men’s Health magazine recently dubbed Sunset Kumato the best tomato for men. Introduced in 2010, "Sunset Kumato" brand tomatoes have quickly gained notoriety for their size, unique color and well-balanced flavor. These non-GMO verified tomatoes naturally turn a reddish-brown color at their peak ripeness.

“We had an exceptional harvest this year,” in the Bard Valley, with “a great yield,” Erin Hanagan-Muths, marketing manager at DatePac LLC in Yuma, AZ, said in an interview with The Produce News.

The agricultural industry has been getting a bad rap from environmental activists for a long time, and most of it — those in the industry would contend — is without justification. The California citrus industry is certainly no exception, and yet the environmentalist lobby has been the driving force between many of the legislative initiatives and bureaucratic policies that have made it increasingly difficult for farming enterprises — especially the smaller ones — to survive and have forced California growers to take tens of thousands of acres of once-productive land out of production.