ORLANDO, FL — The annual Produce Research Symposium held by the California-based Center for Produce Safety was planned long before the recent European outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 that killed 48 people and sickened thousands, but that tragic incident was top-of-mind when 250 produce industry members and affiliates gathered June 28 at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort, here, for a daylong update on scientific research projects the CPS is funding.

Peter Kroner, director of business development for Eli & Ali’s, a distributor of organic and high-quality conventional produce in Brooklyn, NY, will race his dragster July 1-3 in the Race Tech-Jegs Summer Series Shootout at Atco Raceway in Atco, NJ. The event marks his re-entry into racecar driving.

Produce industry veteran William Halstead, 66, died Friday, June 24, after breaking his neck in a fall several days earlier.

“Bill was a good, old-fashioned produce guy who adapted well in the ever-changing produce industry,” said long-time friend John McCann, who is vice president of sales at Del Monte Fresh Produce in Bloomfield, NJ.

L&M has announced an exclusive marketing relationship with Eakin Fruit, one of Washington state’s longtime Yakima Valley grower-shippers, furthering L&M’s expansion in Washington.

Los Angeles-based Giumarra Agricom International has announced the opening of its new avocado-packing facility in Ventura, CA. The grand opening was held June 22 and was attended by Giumarra staff as well as April Aymami and David Cruz from the California Avocado Commission.

Salinas, CA-based D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California and the Bounty Hunter Monster Truck of 2Xtreme Racing have teamed up for a design contest, the winner of which will inspire the Bounty Hunter’s new paint job. The contest is part of the two entities’ Racin’ For a Cure partnership, which combines the sport of racing with the healthy lifestyle supported by D’Arrigo’s “Andy Boy” fresh vegetables.