YOUNG HARRIS, GA — The Southeast Produce Council launched its new leadership program for women in produce with a reception Friday afternoon, Sept. 26, during the council's annual fall conference, Sept. 25-27 at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, here in the scenic mountains of north Georgia.

Agro Innova Co., based in Weston, FL, is “a leading company in the functional beverage industry,” founded by Joseph Montgomery III, whose family has been involved in cacao production for seven generations, according to a company press release.

Gourmet’s Finest, which has a strong reputation working with customers in the foodservice sector, is making its entrée into the retail market and plans to roll out new, unique mushroom packaging in September.

“We are now entering into the retail sector with a totally unique package and mushroom type,” Vice President of Marketing David Ranscht told The Produce News.

PLEASANTON, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council held a membership luncheon meeting Sept. 25, here, featuring California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross as the keynote speaker.

POM Wonderful, a leading premium refrigerated juice company and purveyor of pomegranates, is powering up the produce aisle with new Antioxidant Super Teas. The new line includes Pomegranate Lemonade Tea, Pomegranate Sweet Tea and Pomegranate Honey Green Tea.

If conditions remain as expected, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. believes the 2014 global industry cranberry crop will be between 11.2-11.6 million barrels, down from the 2013 global industry record crop of 12 million barrels. The company expects its grower-owners to deliver 6.6-7 million barrels, which is down from the 7.2 million barrels delivered in 2013.