“To drive retail sales, build the avocado category and sustain our strong brand momentum, Avocados from Mexico commits more funds to marketing support than any other avocado organization in the U.S.,” according to a written statement to The Produce News from Eduardo Serena, marketing director of the Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacàn, commonly known by its acronym APEAM.

Sprout growers are likely to feel the effects of Kroger Co.’s decision to discontinue selling fresh sprouts as of Oct. 22 because of potential food-safety risks.

One of the leading U.S. food retailers, Kroger, announced Oct. 19 that it would no longer sell fresh sprouts in its supermarket chains because of the potential for a food-safety problem. Deliveries of sprouts into Kroger distribution centers and stores will be discontinued Oct. 22, the company said.

USA Today reported that Walmart made a similar decision in 2010.

Retail data from the Mushroom Council indicates a strong upward movement in mushroom demand across the U.S. market.

Retail sales of mushrooms over the 13-week summer season grew 3.3 percent over the same period last year. For the four weeks ending Sept. 9, retail pounds grew 3.2 percent and retail dollars grew 2.6 percent, outperforming total produce's dollar growth of 1.9 percent.

While The Oppenheimer Group may be one of the better-known names in the international produce community, on a day-to-day basis the industry has long called the full-service marketing and distribution company something else altogether.

"Our friends call us Oppy," John Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver-based company said in a press release. And as the organization began a brand-refreshment initiative earlier this year, the moniker resonated.

Members of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leaders Development Program, Class 2, are Tom Mitchell of Riverfront Packing Co. LLC, Joby Sherrod of A.

On Friday, Oct. 26, the inaugural PMA Robert L. Carey Leadership Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership skills and an uncommon commitment to helping the Produce Marketing Association achieve its goals of advancing the produce industry.

PMA President Bryan Silbermann told The Produce News that the award is named in honor of Robert Carey, who served as the chief executive officer of the association for 38 years.