Origin Organic Farms is adding a welcome splash of color to The Oppenheimer Group's sweet Bell pepper menu, and greater volume to accommodate market demand.

Building on last year's trial season, the Delta, BC-based grower has expanded four-fold, and added yellow and orange peppers to the mix. Oppy will begin shipping the full range of "OriginO" branded organic peppers at the end of April.

Ready Pac Inc. will feature its latest advances in fresh-cut produce at the upcoming United Fresh Produce Association convention, to be held May 14-16 in San Diego, CA.

With two award finalists this year for best new product, as well as a wide variety of fresh, unique flavor profiles to suit all tastes, Ready Pac is poised to make an impact at this year's event.

Joseph DeLorenzo (right) of Alpha 1 Marketing in White Plains, NY, was inducted into the Eastern Produce Council's Hall of Fame.

“This season, the fresh produce item with the highest volume from Chile coming into the U.S. is blueberries,” said Nelly Yunta, vice president of sales, marketing and customer care, liner and logistics business groups for Crowley Maritime Corporation in Jacksonville, FL.

“Last year, we also had a high volume of blueberry imports from Chile, and so there has not been much change in that regard. Volumes for this commodity continue to be high this season,” she added.

“Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Florida citrus programs include Valencia oranges, which run April through June,” said Nichole Towell, marketing development manager for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL. “Our red grapefruit runs through April through May, white grapefruit is available April through May and honey tangerines are available in April.”

The 2013 Mexican grape season is expected to start out a little later and a little lighter than normal, but with full crops, abundant promotional opportunities and normal timing from late May or early June through the end of June, according to most of the growers, shippers and marketers The Produce News talked to about the deal.