The surprise success of Andy Matsui’s gamble to transition his company to growing Phalaenopsis orchids more than 15 years ago also gave the company’s founder and president a new mission in life.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — An estimated 6,000 industry professionals traveled to sunny Florida, escaping dismal winter weather in much of the nation, to attend the 41st annual Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition at the Broward County Convention Center here Jan. 22-24. Around 400 exhibitors filled 29 aisles in the massive exhibit hall with 200,000-square-feet of tropical splendor.

Where does magic live? Is it in our imagination? Or is it real? That’s the question filmmaker Richard Hoffmann set out to answer with his masterful new family friendly IMAX short film, ‘Watermelon Magic,’ which will be shown at the National Watermelon Association’s 100th birthday celebration in Savannah, GA, Feb. 19-23.

Using unique stop-action photography to create movement (the 37-minute film consists of more than 200,000 still photographs) Watermelon Magic follows the story of Sylvie, a mischievous 5-year-old with a magic wand — and, unbeknownst to her, a green thumb.

During the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII, several challenges have been made by fans of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks — including a major wager between the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and the Washington State Potato Commission.

Mission Produce announced the completion of its new, multi-million dollar forward distribution and ripening center in Swedesboro, NJ.

Columbia Fresh Produce, based in Walla Walla, WA, announced the hire of Rick Bella as director of business development and marketing on Jan. 16.