LONGUEUIL, QC -- The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will pay tribute to women working in the produce industry at its 61st annual convention Aug. 14-16 at the Fairmount Le Manoir Richelieu in LaMalbaie, QC.

In addition to numerous networking and educational opportunities, convention attendees will be able to partake in many exciting outdoor activities that the venue, about two hours northeast of Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, offers.

After more than eight years in the Northwest fruit industry, Diamond Fruit Co. Vice President of Marketing Neil Galone has announced he is moving back into California citrus as vice president of sales for Booth Ranches in Orange Cove, CA.

Mr. Galone, who has been with Odell, OR-based Diamond since 2005 and who was vice president of sales for the fresh division of Snokist in Yakima, WA, for five years prior to the Diamond move, told The Produce News Aug. 5 that his last day in Odell was to be Aug. 8.

In late April, Pleasanton, CA-based Safeway Inc. announced that it had formed Better Living Brands Alliance to market its "O Organics" and "Eating Right" brands to other retail channels in the United States.

James White, president of Safeway's Lucerne Foods Inc. division, will lead the newly formed alliance. He has a lengthy background in the consumer packaged goods sector. Lucerne Foods is a top food manufacturer with programs for private label, co-packing and foodservice.

From coast to coast, Idaho potato fans showed their love for the spud in the Idaho Potato Commission's iTuber Take II Video Contest. Entrants submitted spud-inspired shorts including animated educational videos, horror flicks and documentaries, all vying for a chance to win the $3,000 grand prize.

There are no tomatoes in Valerie Grenier's home garden.

That is not because the 29-year-old does not like them; quite the contrary, she has an unlimited supply of them at her disposal at her job.

Ms. Grenier is the sales and marketing director at Les Serres du St.-Laurent, recognized throughout Quebec by its "Savoura" label and renowned for its premium greenhouse-grown tomatoes.

Bruce Grim, a longtime grower, tree fruit industry leader and lawyer, has been named executive director of the Wenatchee-based Washington State Horticulture Association.

According to WSHA President Mark Holtzinger, Mr. Grim's ability to deliver value in all his previous service to the industry qualifies him well to lead the association, which has represented the tree fruit industry for 104 years. The association serves to advance the industry through both education and legislative-regulatory representation in Olympia, WA.