The California Avocado Commission announced two staff additions March 16. Jonathan Dixon, a former research scientist at the New Zealand Avocado Growers' Association & Industry Council Ltd., has been hired as research program director.

Dr. Dixon has 30 years of experience in the avocado, horticulture, plant science, plant health and molecular bioscience realms. He has strong research and industry networks in California, South Africa, Spain, Australia and Israel.

REEDLEY, CA -- Bravante Produce, here, which packs citrus under the "Sunkist" label, has donated 16 tons of fresh Navel oranges to aid relief efforts for victims of the Feb. 27 earthquake in the Concepcion region of Chile.

Richard Sullivan, warehouse manager at Bravante Produce, wanted to do something to help the victims of the Chilean earthquake and set about making arrangements for a donation of 16 tons of fresh California Navels to be delivered by sea container to the quake zone.

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement is currently accepting signup forms from new signatories for the 2010-11 fiscal year. In order to participate in the LGMA program from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, handlers need to fill out their signup form and submit it to the LGMA office by end of day on April 1.

Current members do not need to sign up again. Any signatory that wishes to terminate its membership in the organization needs to submit its intent in writing by April 1.

"Here in the valley, we are immersed in agriculture," said 27-year-old Sarah Alvernaz, sales and general manager of California Sweet Potato Growers in Livingston, CA. "This area is rich in dairy farms, almonds groves and sweet potato fields, which my husband, Matt, and I grew up in the middle of."

Shippers of peppers, broccoli, celery, cauliflower and even Iceberg lettuce who had good supplies of product have had a pretty good past month.

"Supplies have been tight," Douglas Schaefer, president of E.J.'s Produce Sales Inc. in Phoenix, told The Produce News. "Green peppers in Nogales have been selling for $40 a carton and $45 for jumbos. I've never seen prices that high."

Colorful Harvest, one of the faster-growing produce operations on California's central coast, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and VIP reception March 19 to celebrate the grand opening of its new headquarters at 584 South Main St. in Salinas, CA.

Colorful Harvest chose one of the more distinguished buildings in downtown Salinas for its new headquarters to make a statement about its support for the community.