Announcing Feb. 12 its new business practice of working directly with "selected strategic dealers and key customers," Nunhems USA will begin a different approach to product distribution in the United States, Mexico and Canada beginning April 1.

Nunhems' dealer network is being consolidated to what a company release described as "a few strategic dealers." The company's "key customers" that include grower-shippers and other supply chain contacts will receive more personalized, local service.

The National Watermelon Association's 95th annual convention returns to historic Charleston, SC, for the first time in 35 years. The convention will take place Feb. 18-22 at the Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston, SC, one of the more historic cities in the entire country and the site of Fort Sumter, where the Civil War started.

"It is absolutely gorgeous and historic city," Bob Morrissey, the association's executive director, told The Produce News.

VIENNA, VA -- January movement of fresh and processing apples was 7 percent above the same month last year and 14.4 percent higher than the past five-year average in January, according to the U.S. Apple Association's latest storage survey, announced Feb. 13.

U.S. fresh-market apple holdings of 74.8 million bushels Feb. 1 reflect a 16 percent decrease from January and a 26 percent increase over February 2008.

Apple processing holdings totaled 29 million bushels, 15 percent less than last month and 7 percent less than Feb. 1, 2008.

WASHINGTON -- After nearly five years at the United Fresh Produce Association, here, Amy Philpott, United's vice president of communications, is leaving to pursue a career more focused on crisis communications and issue management.

A new, lower-cost "Snoopy" watermelon bin will be exhibited at this month's National Watermelon Association convention in Charleston, SC.

Dan Hinkle, the owner of Hinkle Produce, based in Cissna Park, IL, which owns the license to brand all nuts, fruit and vegetables with Peanuts characters, said that the product costs the same as any other printed bin. Previously Hinkle Produce sold a preprinted bin "which made it cost a little more," he said. The new bin is a direct-print two-color (red and green) on white.

Fruit Logistica 2009 underlined its role as a leading global trade event for the fresh produce industry as exhibitors and trade visitors alike praised the international character of the event and the fact that it attracted a large number of top decision makers, according to the organizer of the event, which was held Feb. 4-6 in Berlin.