The media exposure related to food allergies, including lactose intolerance, during the past few years is a clear indication that consumers are looking for more dairy-free foods, according to Jamie Schapiro, director of marketing for Galaxy Nutritional Foods, headquartered in North Kingstown, RI.

With the new proposed produce rule requiring handlers of produce to create food-safety practices that can be verified and audited, the cantaloupe industry is a step ahead of the game.

BOISE, ID — The Idaho Potato Commission’s popular Idaho Potato Lover’s Month retail display contest is in its 22nd year, and Jamie Bowen, marketing manager for the commission, expects to see more than 2,500 entries this year, topping the previous record set in 2011.

Watson Mulhern LLC, a leading Washington-based food and agriculture issues management and policy firm, announced that Randy Green joined as principal Jan. 1 and that Watson Mulhern will collaborate with Mr. Green’s former firm, McLeod, Watkinson & Miller, to enhance both firms’ capacities to serve clients.

Rene van Rems Industry buyers, as well as design and merchandising professionals, want to know what the trends are.

Last year in this space, I pointed out a few trends that are happening in the entire store and how they can affect floral holiday sales in supermarkets. Those points were:

• Customers are looking mostly for value today,

• Customers want to be connected today, and

• Customers are making fewer trips but buying more each trip.

I believe that each of these predictions was on target, and that if supermarket floral departments focused on action plans related to these trends, they had a good chance for growth in 2012.