Season-to-date, the San Joaquin Valley citrus crop has felt minimal pressure from below-freezing temperatures as compared to last year, according to a press release issued by California Citrus Mutual, based in Exeter.

Overnight temperatures Jan. 2 dropped to a season low of 27 degrees in the coldest areas; however, the cold weather proved manageable and no damage to either the Navel or Mandarin crops was reported.

“With the exception of our heirloom tomatoes, Southern Specialties imports a wide range of products from Central America and South America, Canada and Mexico,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for the Pompano Beach, FL-based company told The Produce News. “Our line includes ‘Southern Selects’ French beans, green and white asparagus, hand-peeled Brussels sprouts, hand-peeled baby carrots with tops, hand-peeled rainbow baby carrots with tops, sugar snap peas, snow peas, yellow beans, baby squash and limes.”

Michael Warren, president of Central American Produce, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News that many new and exciting changes have occurred within the company in the past year.

“In July, we added a pineapple program to our lineup,” said Mr. Warren. “Pineapples are not terribly difficult to handle, but they do require sensitive treatment. We have an exclusive arrangement with a farm in Costa Rica on the ‘Bella Vista’ brand, and we have invested in building a facility there to ensure that the fruit is handled to our specifications.”

Representatives of Michigan's apple industry are deep in the strategic planning process for the coming five years. Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, said the organization's board and industry representatives began discussion of the five-year plan this past July. The most recent talks took place Dec. 5 at the 10th Annual Michigan Apple Growers Luncheon at the 2012 Great Lakes EXPO in Grand Rapids, MI.

Associated Potato Growers Inc., located in Grand Forks, ND, is a cooperative comprised of 18 growers from North Dakota and Minnesota. The organization is one of the largest fresh red potato packing facilities in the Midwest. Members also grow yellows. Associated Potato Growers has three facilities located in Grand Forks, Grafton and Drayton, ND.

“Movement has been good up until the week of Thanksgiving at which time it slowed up,” Manager Paul Dolan told The Produce News. “It is still a little slow at this time, but this is not uncommon after a holiday.”

As with most produce companies in Nogales, AZ — and in many other parts of the country and in other industries as well — the last couple of years have had their challenges for Thomas Produce Sales Inc. But with “a couple of challenging seasons under our belt here, I am hoping for a better one this year,” said Chuck Thomas, president of the firm.

“It looks like we are pick up some new business, so that is encouraging,” he said.