Of French origin, the word “gourmet” is defined as having a characteristic that involves purporting high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation. It also relates to those who are elaborately equipped for the preparation of fancy, specialized or exotic meals, such as having a gourmet kitchen.

The summer started with a big bang for the Southeast Produce Council. The council continued its record of community outreach with an inaugural golf tournament that exceeded all expectations and delivered big to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The council raised $50,000 for the hospital’s ongoing efforts to help children with urgent care needs.

GrowFood Carolina started in 2011 in a renovated warehouse in Charleston, SC. As the first so-called “food hub” in the state, it connects growers within a 120-mile radius to supermarkets, restaurants and foodservice institutions, serving as a wholesale logistics center for local produce. Martin Eubanks, SC Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture, views it as a harbinger of things to come.

School districts across the country are serving an unprecedented amount of fruits and vegetables in school lunches and breakfasts, and USA Pears is recognizing districts who have stepped up to put pears on students' plates.

USA Pears has named San Diego Unified School District, School District of Pickens County (South Carolina), and School District of New Berlin (Wisconsin) School Foodservice All-Stars for the 2014-15 season.

"Cherry harvest is progressing and the fruit is beautiful with excellent quality," said Dave Gleason, chief horticulturalist for Domex. "We've spent the past 52 weeks preparing for where we are right now, picking. We make every effort to make sure we pick the fruit when its ready and in good condition so we deliver it to the warehouses to be put into packaging and sent on to the consumer.

Growers Express is opening a new 70,000-square-foot Green Giant Fresh cooler, consolidation and distribution facility in Gonzales, CA, to support growth of new product and service offerings.