The National Mango Board has developed an easy, hand-held guide to help warehouse receivers at the retail level differentiate mango ripeness levels.

"Making sure the mangos on retailers' shelves are the highest-possible quality is easier than ever with the new Mango Maturity & Ripeness Guide," NMB Executive Director William Watson wrote in an open letter to the trade. He said that the new tool was developed specifically to "educate retail receiving personnel to help ensure that consumers are offered the best selection of quality mangos."

Dolores Elaine Bellusci, a member of the produce industry for more than 45 years, died May 27 at her home in Vineland, NJ, surrounded by her family. Ms. Bellusci had suffered from lung cancer for two years, according to her daughter, Debbie Lazareff.

Ms. Bellusci was born Dec. 27, 1929, in Vineland -- the heart of the state's produce area. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Vineland in 1946, and then attended Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

It is a foregone conclusion that Walgreens will increase its food offerings, including some fresh produce, but when and where hasn't been determined yet, according to company spokesperson Tiffani Washington.

Ms. Washington said that Director of Fresh Foods Jim Jensen and Vice President of Merchandising Bryan Pugh, both of whom are stationed in the large retailer’s Deerfield, IL, headquarters, are in charge of the project.

SANTA PAULA, CA -- Calavo Growers Inc. and the California Milk Advisory Board announced June 7 that they have partnered to cross promote two of California's more identifiable agricultural products: fresh California avocados and California cheese.

There was a time when shoppers knew exactly what to expect in the produce department of the grocery store. Citrus was a fall-through-spring treat. Berries had seasons.

These days, with global sourcing, most commodities are available year round through a non-stop rotation of local and imported products.

For more than six months, the onion market has been very solid — reaching record heights along the way — and the good run is expected to continue for at least several more months.

"It's been a good market since December," said Don Ed Holmes of The Onion House, based in Weslaco, TX. “And I think it will last until at least mid- August when the folks in Idaho, Oregon and Washington start shipping.”