In-shell nuts are a major category, particularly as the holiday season approaches, for A.J. Trucco Inc., a wholesaler, importer and distributor located on New York City’s Hunts Point Terminal Market.

This year, supplies will be tight and prices high on many items in the nut category, according to Salvatore (Sal) Vacca, president of the company.

PRO*ACT, one of America's leading distributors of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Steve Grinstead, who has served PRO*ACT for the last eight years. Mr. Grinstead leaves behind a strong senior management team that he was instrumental in developing during his tenure. Max Yeater, company president, will assume the majority of Grinstead's duties.

WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s election may not affect the 2012 Farm Bill debate, the produce industry’s most pressing legislative priority slated for this week’s lame duck session, but it will have implications for food safety, immigration reform and environmental regulations down the road, experts told The Produce News.

President Obama won re-election and nearly every battleground state, the Democrats maintained control of the Senate and the Republicans kept majority control of the House of Representatives.

The word “sustainability” is on the lips of almost everyone in the produce industry these days, and it is something that more and more retail and foodservice customers are asking for from their suppliers.

IPM Essen will open its doors for the 31st time Jan. 22-25 to an expected 60,000 trade visitors. Show offerings will include plants, technology and floristry and garden features, a news release stated. Ilse Aigner, Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture & Consumer Protection for the German federal government, has once again agreed to be the patron of the trade fair in Essen, Germany, the sponsors indicated.

The second edition of Expo Flora Russia closed its doors Sept. 7, having drawn about 600 attendees representing nearly 400 companies in 27 countries, said Jasper van Dijk, marketing manager for HPP Exhibitions in Holland, the show sponsor. The three-day show was held in the historic Gostiny Dvor building near Moscow’s Red Square. Inside Gostiny Dvor’s columned halls, 89 exhibitors from 13 countries displayed their products.