Alan Schreiber, administrator of the Washington Asparagus Commission, is projecting increased asparagus tonnage for the 2010 season. "We are cautiously optimistic," he told The Produce News March 31. "We will have an early season."

The 2009 production season was marked by prolonged periods of cold, resulting in a shortened season.

A creative pear and scallop appetizer took top prize March 31 at the second annual USA Pears Culinary Student Recipe competition, which is open to U.S. culinary students nationwide.

John Hickey, a senior buyer at John Vena Inc. located on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal, resigned from the company, according to John Vena, president of the company.

"Effective immediately, Mr. Hickey is no longer connected to the firm," a March 26 press release announced.

"John Hickey was instrumental in creating new product lines and further developing some existing products, Mr. Vena told The Produce News April 5. "John has an intuitive feel for produce and is highly focused on his customer's best interests. I wish him all the best in the future."

With March bringing record rainfall to many parts of the Garden State followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in early April, growers are keeping one eye on their fields and the other on the weather forecast as they hope for a reprieve from the extremes and a return to a normal production schedule.

The last two years have been a precarious maze for Florida tomato growers. First, the industry was wrongly blamed for a 2008 Salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds. Then came January's freezes that wiped out 80 percent of the winter crop. In between -- and ongoing -- the industry is wrestling with a tangle of self-regulation, and state and pending federal legislation that could make a lawyer blush.

Southern Specialties Inc., headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, named Dana Giacone manager of the company's West Coast operations.

Ms. Giacone has extensive experience in the produce industry. Prior to joining Southern Specialties, she worked with growers, processors and foodservice distributors as regional business manager for River Ranch Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA. Her position with Southern Specialties will be focused on expanding the company's customer base and on developing product lines.