CERRITOS, CA — Industry professionals packed the Sheraton Cerritos Aug. 6, here, for the annual Fresh Produce & Floral Council/City Of Hope Luncheon. This year, the Southern California Produce & Floral Division of the Food Industries Circle raised more than $250,000 for the City of Hope, one of the premier cancer-treatment centers in the United States.

Peru is one of the larger producers of asparagus in the world and the United States is the largest consumer. The two countries need each other.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association revealed that in 2013, Peruvian growers sent 403 million pounds of asparagus to the United States. That represented almost 50 percent of U.S. asparagus and about two-thirds of Peru’s exports.

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — This year has been eventful for Manfredi Cold Storage. “We have wrapped up loose ends and it’s worked quite well,” said Frank Manfredi, company president.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ — A formal July 14 announcement of the construction of a new, state-of-the-art marine terminal in Paulsboro, NJ, is just the latest in a string of Delaware River port victories for Holt Logistics Corp.

The mid-July announcement was made at a press conference attended by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, the board and staff of the South Jersey Port Corporation, various Gloucester County executives and representatives of Holt Logistics at the future site of the facility on the banks of the Delaware River in Paulsboro.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Stuart has announced two important staff changes that will enhance FFVA's ability to provide expert knowledge and quality services to its members.

Sonia Tighe has joined join the FFVA staff as director of membership, effective Aug. 1. For the past several years, Tighe has served FFVA in a consulting role as executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation.

California citrus will be permitted entry into China more than 14 months after shipments were disallowed due to a discovery of brown rot in some shipments, according to California Citrus Mutual, based in Exeter, CA.

The industry received verbal notice, which was confirmed in writing on Aug. 4, that the Chinese market is now open for California citrus, according to a CCM statement.