The Produce News has learned that Dave Parker, previously director of marketing for Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC in Traver, CA, has left SGS to take a position with Rivermaid Trading Co. in Lodi, CA.

Neither Mr. Parker nor Rivermaid executives were immediately available for comment.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Building on the success achieved last year when the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s State Agricultural Convention was held along with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey’s convention and trade show, the two groups held their second annual joint event Feb. 5-7 here at the Trump Taj Mahal, drawing excellent attendance and enthusiastic crowds.

Warm weather in November and cold weather in December and January have kept the Romaine market red hot, and most leaf items are also still showing very strong demand. However, broccoli and cauliflower couldn’t hold their demand as their prices soared and those markets have come way down.

Chris Herlihy, who works on the sales desk at Fresh Kist Produce in Salinas, CA, told The Produce News Feb. 5 that broccoli and cauliflower prices were down in the $7-8 range and having trouble holding that number. Just 10 days earlier, both items were trading north of $20.

BOISE, ID — The 75-year-old Idaho Potato Commission has historically focused its marketing efforts on the domestic market, but about eight years ago the group began to undertake an international market development program.

PECO Pallet in Yonkers, NY, “offers complete pallet pooling solutions for watermelon growers and shippers” throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to a written statement furnished by the company to The Produce News Jan. 25. “Over the last few years, more and more watermelon growers have partnered with PECO Pallet because of the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, service and safety.”

PECO has built its reputation “by consistently supplying high-quality pallets” and by its responsive service, according to the statement.

As of Jan. 26, Sydney, FL-based Tater Man had already started its 2013 season. “The demand for our fresh sweets is as early as possible,“ said Jason Bell, account manager. “Our processing partners have been able to expand their production windows and take on new business, which is keeping the demand on our crops extremely strong.”