This year's Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo has added an extra emphasis on professional development, which has led to a change in its seminar structure.

"Rather than focusing on floral or produce with separate seminars, the committee is stressing professional development for store-level attendees with a joint opening session featuring Harold Lloyd," said Carissa Mace, president of the council.

Former Safeway produce executive Robert Backovich died June 30 of a kidney ailment at the age of 76.

Mr. Backovich spent his entire produce career with Safeway Stores, rising to the top position in the produce department, which he held for many years. He was also very active in the produce industry, especially in volunteer roles within the Produce Marketing Association.

Salinas, CA-based Mann Packing Co. has introduced its highly successful "Simply Singles" whole-leaf lettuce items to the retail supermarket channel.

"Simply Singles" are washed and ready-to-use single lettuce leaves available in three popular varieties: Romaine hearts, red leaf and green leaf lettuce. Mann introduced the items to the foodservice industry in 2000, and they were met with overwhelming success.

Seald Sweet International has launched a special marketing campaign benefiting wounded and fallen veterans.

The firm will contribute proceeds from fresh citrus commodities in special promotional packaging to help wounded and fallen service members and their families through the Fisher House Foundation. The program commences in conjunction with Seald Sweet's summer citrus program with plans to run throughout the year.

In July, summer fruits such as peaches, grapes and nectarines come into play and compete head to head with strawberries in retailer produce aisles.

According to Valerie Sill, strawberry business manager for Watsonville, CA- based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc., strawberries need not lie down for the competition. The industry should help retailers understand how important berry sales are and that they can compete with other categories.

According to the Peruvian Asparagus Importer's Association, exports to the United States are forecasted to increase by 8-10 percent for the 2008-09 season.

In 2007, the United States imported more than 273 million pounds of fresh- market asparagus, of which Peruvian asparagus represented over 56 percent of the total world supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture further indicated an approximately 2.2 million-pound increase from 2006 to 2007 for fresh- market Peruvian asparagus imports for consumption in the United States.