A major promotion focused on Washington-grown Jazz apples is targeting consumers in specific U.S. markets, according to David Nelley, manager of The Oppenheimer Group's pipfruit and pineapple category.

A three-year project titled European Flavors aims to promote food products produced in the European Union to the United States, Russia and Japan. The project was developed and approved in 2007 and was kicked off in early 2008.

J.C. Barros, U.S. marketing director for European Flavors, said that the project is designed to promote healthier eating habits among consumers.

IRVINE, CA -- Don Reeder was elected chairman of the California Avocado Commission at its November board of directors meeting, Ohannes Karaoghlanian will serve as vice chairman, with Bradley Miles as secretary and Ben Holtz as treasurer.

The elections filled five member positions and two handler positions this year. The commission board members serve two-year terms with the new members joining eight members already seated.

PLANT CITY, FL -- For now, the offices are empty, the paint is so fresh one can still smell it and workers continue to scurry about putting finishing touches on a just-renovated 51,000-square-foot facility that will serve as headquarters for SunnyRidge Farms' Florida strawberry operations.

DILLSBURG, PA -- The nation's apple harvest yielded a vintage crop of apples in 2009, and many retailers took that opportunity to display and feature apples in their produce departments this fall.

John Napoleon Derdivanis, 87, died Dec. 12 in Monterey, CA.

Born March 29, 1922, to Greek immigrant parents in Fresno, CA, he graduated from Roosevelt High School, where he was class president in 1937, according to a Dec. 14 press release. He continued to Bakersfield Junior College, where he was student body president.