DENVER -- The U.S. Potato Board announced March 19 that Don Ladhoff will lead the retail efforts of its domestic marketing program. He will provide key input to strategy and guide the tactical execution of the program, with the goal of increasing demand for potatoes in the retail environment.

"I'm pleased Don has joined our team," Kathleen Triou, the board's vice president of domestic marketing, said in a March 19 press release. "He brings considerable experience and enthusiasm to the position, and he'll be ready to contribute from day one."

A study conducted by University of California Los Angeles researchers and published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Food further indicates the prevalence of antioxidants in strawberries and subsequent health benefits from eating strawberries.

According to the study, 21 healthy women ate about one-half pound of frozen strawberries daily for three weeks. Several measures of antioxidant capacity in the blood were taken.

Eating strawberries resulted in an increase in the body's ability to prevent the oxidation of blood lipids such as LDL cholesterol.

HLB Tropical Food USA Inc. is using a recent study by the University of Florida to promote the health benefits of papayas.

HLB, which is based in Plantation, FL, and is among the bigger U.S. importers of Brazilian papayas, is citing a study published March 9 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology titled "Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibit anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects" to raise the awareness of the fruit's health benefits, specifically the cancer-fighting properties of papaya leaves.

Mangos are one of the faster-growing produce categories in America and currently the number one eaten fruit throughout the world. To promote this popular fruit, Freska Produce, based in Oxnard, CA, is making an appearance on Lifetime Channel's morning show "The Balancing Act."

WASHINGTON -- Lorri Koster, co-chairman of Mann Packing Co., will be the guest speaker at the United Fresh Produce Association's 2010 reception honoring Women in Produce, Wednesday, April 21, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

In an effort to provide consumers with healthy and nutritious meal alternatives to their everyday favorites, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, based in Oveido, FL, has launched Fresh Family Meal Makeover, a featured page on www.DudaFresh.com showcasing how-to videos for nutritious recipes in recognition of National Nutrition Month.