The U.S. Potato Board and the National Potato Council announced jointly that effective May 19, "the Mexican government has implemented its final rule to allow U.S. fresh potatoes to enter all of Mexico. This action is part of a bilateral agreement that facilitates trade in fresh potatoes between the two countries."

For nearly a decade, fresh potatoes from the United States have been permitted into Mexico only along a 26-kilometer zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. They are now permitted in all cities in Mexico with populations of 100,000 or greater.

CHICAGO — “I am very proud of the success we have had over the last six years,” said Joe Collier, partner and executive vice president of distribution and business development of Produce Alliance.

The Produce News recently interviewed Collier in the company’s office in a revitalized part of downtown Chicago.

“We continue to grow with the model that fits us. We have hired a significant amount of good, young talent in the last few years. That has helped shape us,” Collier said.

CHICAGO — A new organic department is now part of Anthony Marano Co.

CHICAGO — “The last nine months have been very good,” Robert (Rob) Strube III said of Strube Celery & Vegetable Co., based here.

It was last summer that Strube and other fourth-generation members of the Strube family established a new business plan. Rob Strube, one of four directors of the company, became the firm’s new president. The other three directors are Rob’s cousin TJ Fleming, the new director of sales and marketing; Lisa Strube, the director of finance and administration and a longtime employee; and Sue Hunter, who heads Strube’s human resources.

In recent months, the Chicago packing facility and warehouse of Infinite Herbs & Specialties has been moved to a location that is 3,000 square feet larger in order to handle expanding business, according to Camilo Peñalosa, the firm’s vice president of business development.

The firm also has distribution facilities in Miami and Boston.

Peñalosa indicated the Chicago operation is extending its reach to Kansas in the west and into Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Infinite Herbs has added an Indiana greenhouse micro-green supplier to expand its offerings.

CHICAGO — A third-generation produce family is thriving on the Chicago International Produce Market.

Jose (Pepe) L. Vega said his father, Francisco Vega, entered the produce business as a grower in Mexico in the 1950s. In 1972 Francisco opened La Hacienda on Chicago’s old South Water Street Market. La Hacienda was a vendor of Mexican produce and Mexican canned foods.

In 2004, La Hacienda became La Galera Produce, which has enjoyed strong growth on the relatively new Chicago produce terminal.