T.J. Rahll is the third-generation family member to operate Edward G. Rahll & Sons Inc., located at the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD. He told The Produce News that he was proud and happy to say that he graduated from the United Fresh Class 19 of the Produce Industry Leadership Program. The class graduated at the United Fresh expo June 10-13 in Chicago, IL.

The Cold Spring Foodtown in Putnam County, NY, celebrated its grand reopening Sept. 5, featuring an enlarged and completely remodeled store and several new and expanded departments. Some of the enhancements include a new fresh seafood department, an expanded deli and bakery department, a wide variety of organic and natural foods, a new vitamin and supplements department, and an expanded fruit and vegetable department.

The Foodtown of Cold Spring is one of 11 supermarket locations owned and operated by Noah, Daniel and Sydney Katz of PSK Supermarkets.

“We have enjoyed a nice summer,” Tony Vitrano, president of Tony Vitrano Co., located at the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News. “It hasn’t been too hot and we’ve been spared of any major storms, for which we’re thankful.”

Vitrano said that the demand for local produce continues on its gradual increase, and that the quality of it continues to improve over time.

The Maryland Wholesale Produce Market is operated by the Maryland Food Center Authority. Today, 25 tenants hold space in the MWPM, Rose M. Harrell, director of facilities for the MFCA told The Produce News. Harrell added that space goes quickly when it becomes available at the market.

NEWPORT, RI — The New England Produce Council's 2014 Produce & Floral Expo opened Wednesday, Sept. 10, with a produce industry forum presented by Produce Marketing Association President Cathy Burns, a VIP reception and an outdoor clambake under tents.

WASHINGTON — The next farm bill may not look like the hard-fought 2014 version as critics continue to advocate for splitting farm policy from food stamps in the next bill, lawmakers told attendees of the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Conference, here.

Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of United Fresh, kicked off the meeting with a promise of no government shutdown during the three-day meeting, a reference to last year's budget impasse that forced Congress and federal agencies to shut their offices during the Washington Conference.