Naturipe Farms has appointed Brian Jenny to the newly created position of director of business development for the East Coast, effective Oct 4.

In this role, Mr. Jenny will have the responsibility of leading the East Coast sales team, servicing the firm's existing client base, and developing new business opportunities in the retail, foodservice and wholesale channels.

As attendees of the PMA Fresh Summit this October in Orlando, FL, make their way down the 3600 aisle of the exhibit hall during the upcoming convention, they might be enticed to taste a special melon, which the producer claims is one of the sweetest in the world.

"We are going to use our space this year to do as many demos as possible," said Rodrigo Lima, the U.S. representative for Itaueira Farms of Brazil. “We want to show off the taste of this fruit both to new customers and our current customers.”

DUNDEE, FL -- Dundee Citrus Growers Association announced that effective Oct. 1, its sales and marketing division will be rebranded Florida Classic Growers Inc. to align with the cooperative's well-known "Heritage Citrus" label.

WASHINGTON -- Comedian Stephen Colbert grabbed the headlines Sept. 24 after he testified -- in character -- at a House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on immigrant agricultural workers.

Mr. Colbert was invited to testify by subcommittee Chairman Zoe Lofgren (D- CA), both of whom picked beans and packed corn during a 10-hour stint in upstate New York under the United Farm Workers of America's Take Our Jobs initiative that invites Americans to work in agricultural jobs.

Cris-P Produce Co. Inc. in Nogales, AZ, an organic produce and greenhouse grower, announced Sept. 23 that it has changed its name to Wholesum Family Farms as part of a recent rebranding campaign.

The company enlisted the support of FreshXperts, a full-service produce consultancy, to lead its rebranding efforts. Ken Hopps and Anthony Totta, co- owners of FreshXperts, told The Produce News that Wholesum Family Farms' practices exemplify the new name.

Mehmet Oz may host a popular television and radio show, but he didn't win over friends in the produce industry when he warned the public to fear pesticide residues in certain fresh fruits and vegetables.

After a Sept. 24 segment of the "Dr. Oz Show" listed the "dirtiest produce items," four fruit and vegetable trade associations fired off a Sept. 28 letter refuting the charges.