MONTREAL -- Robert Beauregard resigned as Sobeys Ontario's senior director of produce merchandising and procurement and has joined Metro Inc. as its new director of central negotiation for produce for Ontario and Quebec.

Mr. Beauregard will report to Bernadette Hamel, Metro's senior director for produce replenishment, merchandising and central procurement. Ms. Hamel told The Produce News July 23 that he will be starting his new position July 28.

Rainmaker Media Group, a Charleston, WV-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm, has been hired by Waterford, MI-based Saven Corp., owners of the Oso Sweet onion, to promote its winter and spring sweet onions.

Wal-Mart highlighted its commitment to carry more local fruits and vegetables in California, to keep produce prices down and offer affordable selections that are fresh and healthy during a watermelon promotion event in West Sacramento, CA.

The retailer also said that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years -- one example of the company's efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food.

WASHINGTON -- Tomato growers and first handlers nationwide could get money for losses stemming from the federal government's Salmonella warning if a bill introduced June 24 by U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) becomes law.

The Food & Drug Administration announced Friday afternoon, July 25, that it is revising its consumer advice to indicate that all fresh Jalapeno and Serrano peppers grown in the United States are not associated with the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, and are thus safe to consume.

Retailers and restaurants are advised that they may sell U.S.-grown peppers without concern about this outbreak, according to a report e-mailed by the United Fresh Produce Association, in Washington, DC.

After a 16-year run with Metro Inc., Alain Pare has left the Montreal-based firm -- one of Canada's larger retailers -- to join Groupe Connexion in Joliette, QC.

Mr. Pare's first day with Groupe Connexion was July 21. Groupe Connexion is a holding company for three businesses owned by Daniel Berard: Danfreight Systems Inc., VegKiss and B&B Gardens.