Matt Curry, president of Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, said Walla Walla sweet onions are nothing short of extraordinary. “Walla Walla sweet onions are certainly the best-known sweet onion in the Pacific Northwest,” he told The Produce News. “Growers, retailers and consumers are proud of this regional favorite. Walla Walla sweets are also well-known from the West Coast to Chicago and have niche markets throughout the rest of the country. The unique name and sweet flavor always seem to attract consumers from all corners of the U.S.”

Associated Produce Inc. came on to the fresh produce industry in 2008, and since then, it has grown tremendously fast. The company is located on Casanova Street, just outside of the Hunts Point terminal market in the Bronx, NY.

Dimitri Soyfer, president of the firm, told The Produce News that its strongest focus is on tropical fruits and vegetables, but that it now also carries a full line of conventional produce.

Georgia and north Florida watermelon growers are late to the game due to a cool spring, earlier season delays held back some of the Mexican and Texan crop, and California and Arizona are coming into their own as production ramps up in June. All that means the United States will be awash in watermelon from now through September, setting up ample opportunity for retailers to promote with abandon.

Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council members agree the increasing percentage of produce cases marked with PTI labels is a reassuring sign that momentum for PTI continues, supported by buyers who are preparing to receive labels later this year.

The Leadership Council, representing 32 companies in the produce industry, held its biannual meeting in mid-May in conjunction with the United Fresh 2013 convention in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO — When retail consultant Harold Lloyd told retailers that they need to have more "pop" in their stores, he wasn't talking about expanding the soft drink category.

Speaking at the United Fresh Produce Association convention in mid-May, here, Lloyd gave the crowd a visual demonstration of his viewpoint by wearing a costume designed by Scotland Yard. He is all about having a produce department making a statement visually. He gave dozens of take-home tips during his 40 minute presentation.

Belgian-based Delhaize Group has hired Lazard Ltd. to handle the sale of Harveys and Sweetbay, two of its U.S. banners, according to two anonymous sources in a Reuters report.

In the article, Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Oliver Beckers did not comment on Lazard or any other advisors being involved in a potential sale, but he confirmed that the company was looking at options for the banners.