Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, has ample fruit for promotion, but Chief Marketing Officer David Mixon does not expect that the Florida citrus season as a whole will have legs to make it much past mid-April.

While some growers hope to extend the season after four freeze events over six weeks in December and January, Mr. Mixon said in mid-January that this is probably unrealistic. He also expects the remainder of the Florida season to bring smaller-sized fruit -- same as the first half -- due to the worst drought in 15 years and the atypical cold weather.

Westlake Produce Co. in Winter Haven, FL, might not be the biggest player in the Florida citrus game, but it is large enough to provide ample volume of standard and specialty product -- and small enough to remain nimble and cater to its clients.

Launched in August with the idea to better facilitate purchasing transactions between produce buyers and sellers, freshproducelocator.com has experienced a recent surge in popularity, according to its developer.

The site has added numerous features and now lists 37 buyer members. Buyers on the site include some of the very large in the industry, such as Indianapolis Fruit Co., Pro-Act, Ben E. Keith, Save Mart Supermarkets, Stater Bros. and Supervalu.

Nixa, MO-based Market Fresh Produce LLC has appointed Mike Kemp its new chief operations officer. He brings a wealth of experience to Market Fresh that includes over 26 years in the produce industry.

Mr. Kemp's most recent position was vice president of perishable procurement for Save-A-Lot Ltd. in St. Louis.

Matt Harris, director of trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, said that he is heartened by a proposal drafted by the U.S. Department of Transportation that would once again allow Mexican truckers access to American roadways.

A 2007 pilot program implemented through the Department of Transportation gave Mexican carriers limited access to American roadways at the same time American carriers were operating within the first 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border.

PORTLAND, OR -- As of Jan. 28, Dennis James will leave his post as director of marketing at the Pear Bureau Northwest in order to take a brief break in his career so that he can focus on his personal life.