Pacific Organic Produce, based in San Francisco recently announced Allen Bernklau as senior commodity development and sales specialist.

Bernklau has been working in the organic industry for over 30 years. He has experience in all areas of the industry, including retail, wholesale, mail order, and working directly with growers.

Prior to joining Pacific Organic Produce, Bernklau led the sales team at Del Cabo for the past 11 years, helping them to develop into one of the premier organic farm companies in the industry.

“We continue to expand,” said Sean Stockton, president of Sundale Sales, the marketing arm of Sundale Vineyards in Tulare, CA. “Our overall increase this year is about 10 percent over last year.”

The company continues “to do extensive replanting and grafting to newer varieties,” seeking always to stay at the vanguard “when it comes to planting new varieties” and strengthening the program for the long term, he said.

Sunview Marketing International in Delano, CA, exclusive marketing agent for Sunview Vineyards of California, will have volume increases in two proprietary grape varieties this season — one a red seedless called Gem and the other a green seedless called Stella Bella.

Both varieties have been in the development process for some time. Stella Bella debuted commercially last year after being selected out of the company’s in-house breeding program about six years earlier. “We have gone into a major planting program on it the last two years,” said Scott Boyajian, director of sales.

A couple of Baltimore-area businesses are taking the lead in a national movement, ‘eat brighter!’ to inspire young children and their families to eat healthier.

With the help of friends from Sesame Street, Savage, MD-based fresh produce supplier East Coast Fresh and grocery retailer Mars Supermarkets are putting emphasis — and marketing — in the produce department where Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and several other furry faces will adorn packages of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent held its Women's Fresh Perspectives Reception Saturday, July 26 at the Monterey Mariott in Monterey, CA. The event, which was sold out as usual, brought together more than 150 attendees.

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Harvest is under way for Stemilt’s all-organic peach and nectarine crop in Washington state, and natural farming methods are proving yet again to deliver summer fruits with true dessert flavors.