Fred Recchiuti, general manager of Basciani Foods in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News that Michael Basciani, company president, knows the value of hard work and teamwork, and he is pleased to announce that John (Littleman) Santangelo III is the newly appointed team leader at the company’s recently opened Independence, LA, mushroom farm and packinghouse.

Giorgio Fresh Company headquartered in Temple, PA, is a leading producer of fresh, value-added and processed mushrooms. Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for the company, told The Produce News that The Mushroom Council data show that mushroom sales are very strong today.

Joe Caldwell, vice president of Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville, CA, is also the current chairperson for The Mushroom Council, the mushroom industry’s research and promotion group supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that the company would once again participate in The National Mushroom Council’s “Go Pink” promotion.

“The effort benefits the City of Hope, a leading cancer research treatment and education center, to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Mr. Donovan. “In October, Phillips Mushroom Farms will pack eight-ounce mushrooms in pink trays with special pink labels. The Mushroom Council makes a sizeable donation to the City of Hope during the campaign.”

“To-Jo has recently introduced a new product: Traditional Mushroom Sautee with Butter, Salt and Pepper,” Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo Fresh Mushrooms Inc., in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News. “It is a microwaveable mushroom product in retail-size packs. The new item contains seven ounces of sliced mushrooms that are ready to put directly into a microwave oven. All-natural seasonings and herbs are added to the pre-cleaned mushrooms. Users simply microwave for just under four minutes for fully prepared mushrooms in a delicious sauce.”

Sambrailo Packaging, headquartered in Salinas, CA, has developed a pint-sized clamshell that is especially compatible with the high-speed machinery used to pack small-sized tomatoes for retail display.

“We are focused on off-the-vine cherry and cocktail type tomatoes,” said Jim Scattini, vice president of sales and marketing for the firm.