Village Farms International announced today it has harvested the first fruit from its new state-of-the-art greenhouse located in Monahans, Texas yesterday. The initial pick is being harvested a few weeks ahead of schedule due to the excellent greenhouse climate.

Shored up by a new partnership designed for deeper market penetration, the tide has turned for the Oceanside tomato deal.

When longtime Oceanside grower Harry Singh Jr.'s vine-ripe tomatoes make their return to the market in July, they will be backed by the sales, marketing and distribution expertise of The Oppenheimer Group.

Kate Siskel

KATE SISKEL recently joined BrightFarms, a New York City-based company that designs, finances, builds

WEATHER

Daytime temperatures in Yuma, AZ, were expected to reach the low 80s through Feb. 25 before easing into the mid-70s through Feb. 28. Overnight lows were expected to range in the mid-40s to low 50s. Rain was not in the near-term forecast.

In Oxnard, CA, daytime temperatures were forecast to reach the low to mid-70s through Feb. 23 before dipping into the low to mid-60s through Feb. 28. Overnight lows were predicted to be in the upper 40s to low 50s. Rain was not in the near-term forecast.