The 2007-08 school year represents a major milestone in Monterey Mushrooms' ongoing scholarship program: over $1 million in educational scholarships have been awarded to the children of Monterey Mushrooms employees.

Initiated 15 years ago, this program was the vision of Shah Kazemi, president of Monterey Mushrooms, and Carl Victor Fields, the former vice president of marketing, who died in April 2004.

Frontera Produce Ltd. announced that Will Steele was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the company during comprehensive strategic planning sessions held the last week of September at the firm's headquarters in Edinburg, TX.

Mr. Steele, a 15-year produce industry veteran, has served as vice president of Frontera Produce since the company was founded in 1992, and has been a catalyst for the continued expansions and growth of the organization, according to a company statement.

Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced the opening of a new distribution center in Nogales, AZ, which serves retail and foodservice customers with "Chiquita" brand fresh fruits and vegetables.

The facility offers state-of-the-art inventory management and easier handling, loading and unloading of products. It is also certified to leading food-safety standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Arizona Department of Health Services and Primus Labs.

Franklin Farms, marketer of the Portabella Veggiburger, a leading fresh veggie burger, as well as a variety of other vegetarian products, has added a gluten-free claim on the packaging of its products. Already all-natural, the company is incorporating more value-added product attributes to its vegetarian line.

The company recently discontinued several items that did not meet the gluten-free criteria and added a new product, Soyrizo, a meat-free version of the traditional Mexican sausage, chorizo. Not only is Soyrizo gluten free, but is also vegan.

River Point Farms in Hermiston, OR, one of the larger onion producers in the United States, announced that it was recognized by the Subway restaurant chain as the North American Supply Chain Partner of the Year during the vendor awards ceremony at the annual Convention of Subway Franchisees that took place Aug. 1 in Orlando, FL.

SEASIDE, CA -- The California Department of Food & Agriculture, which oversees the Salinas, CA-based California Lettuce Research Board, is taking steps to form a new research board that would focus on both lettuce and spinach research.

Mary Zischke, chief executive officer of the California Lettuce Research Board, shared the news with the audience assembled at the International Spinach Conference, held Monday, Sept. 24, at Embassy Suites Hotel Monterey Bay- Seaside.

If all goes as planned, CDFA would have the new board in place in March, said Ms. Zischke.