Cantaloupe growers in Rocky Ford, CO, have decreased planted acreage dramatically to address water shortages.

“Acreage is down 60 to 70 percent this season,” said Chairman Michael Hirakata, who is also general manager of Hirakata Farms.

The association has a total of 15 members this year. In addition to cantaloupes, some growers have also planted watermelons and honeydews.

Hirakata said water supplies were not as big of an issue at the beginning of the season as planting ramped up.

Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo Food Products Inc. in Avondale, PA, said the company is presenting its complete line of fresh and processed foodservice products at the upcoming Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA, July 26-28.

The U.S. Apple Association, based in Vienna, VA, announced that Nancy Foster, president and chief executive officer, has resigned after 11 years as head of the organization.

Foster will leave the association in late-August, and a search committee has been formed to seek her replacement. The committee will be headed by Mike Wade of Columbia Fruit Packers in Wenatchee, WA, and members of the committee include Mark Nicholson of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY, John Rice of Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, and Julia Rothwell of Belding Fruit Storage in Grand Rapids, MI.

The Michigan blueberry harvest is in full swing with local growers working long hours to ensure that the blueberries are picked, packed and distributed to retailers, restaurants and consumers throughout the country.

Bob Burr, mayor of South Haven, MI, helped kick off the local harvest by visiting local blueberry grower Tom Bodtke, Bob Hawk, president and chief executive officer of the grower-owned Michigan Blueberry Growers cooperative, and Brian Bocock, vice president of product management for Naturipe Farms LLC.

Paramount Citrus in Delano, CA, and Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, CA, announced July 22 that they have entered into an agreement for Paramount Citrus to acquire the citrus assets of the Central Valley-based Grimmway Farms.

Weis Markets announced the rollout of its annual "Your Neighbor’s, Our Farmers" local produce program, which promotes the quality and longevity of Weis Markets’ local produce and highlights the contributions of 13 farmers and their families who supply Weis Markets’ stores with produce.