Village Farms in Eatontown, NJ, one of North America's larger producers and marketers of greenhouse vegetables, has announced that an agreement has been reached for the acquisition of Hot House Growers, one of the larger growers in Vancouver, BC.

The acquisition offers Village Farms the opportunity to improve distribution dynamics, expand product availability and increase brand awareness for its customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

IRWINDALE, CA -- Ready Pac announced July 7 the resignation of Larry Kern, who was president and chief executive officer. Mr. Kern has elected to pursue early retirement from the company. Dennis Gertmenian, Ready Pac's founder and chairman of the board, and Jack Davis, chairman of the executive committee, will assume Mr. Kern's responsibilities.

After a long battle with cancer, Otto Robert (Bob) Matousek, who was a member of the produce industry for about 30 years and who was most recently with Cobbtown, GA-based Plantation Sweets for three years, died July 1 at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility.

Born Oct. 10, 1952, in Homestead, FL, Mr. Matousek resided with his wife of 20 years, Betty Browder Matousek, in Statesboro, GA. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida Technical University in Orlando in 1974 and his master's degree in science in management from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, in 1976.

RIVERHEAD, NY -- The sales staff at Fresh from the Start LLC is gearing up to do what it does best: provide the highest quality Maine broccoli to its retail and foodservice customers.

Now in its 11th year, Fresh from the Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, expects to begin shipping broccoli July 17 from its longtime grower in Caribou, ME.

New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus and the New Jersey Restaurant Association unveiled a new signage program that will notify restaurant patrons that the Garden State's bounty is being served in an establishment.

With a theme of "Health Odyssey," the 2006 Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo is expected to attract more than 1,000 attendees to hear the latest on nutrition information and peruse the booths of 170 exhibitors.