NOGALES, AZ — So far this season, the biggest news for Grower Alliance LLC, here, is the addition of a new salesman, said Jorge Quintero Jr., sales manager, in an interview with The Produce News Nov. 9. New on sales is Saul Gonzales, who was previously at Malena Produce in Nogales. “He brings a lot of experience” and “has worked with a lot of the items that we are increasing our acreage with,” he said.

Also on sales is Mr. Quintero’s father, Director of Marketing Jorge Quintero Sr., and Frank Hernandez, who is now in his second season.

Bernardi & Associates Inc., which is headquartered in Nogales, AZ, and has branch offices in Fort Meyer, FL; McAllen, TX; Turlock, CA; and San Diego, is in the business of brokering tomatoes, mixed vegetables, melons and some other commodities from growing districts both in the United States and Mexico.

Everything is the same with the company as it was a year ago, said President Joe Bernardi, who was in the Turlock office, wrapping up the California tomato deal when The Produce News talked to him by phone Nov.16.

NOGALES, AZ — The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here, spends a great deal of its time and resources every year dealing with issues related to transportation and logistics, and particularly those having to do with getting produce moved expeditiously from Mexico across the border and into the warehouses in Nogales.

In a move to reinforce its focus on the healthy aspects of its product, Pink Lady America announced that Ali Vincent, the first female winner of The Biggest Loser, will be its national spokesperson for the 2011-12 marketing season.