The Washington stone fruit season is off to strong start, and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers' new two-pound easy punnet packaging is proving to be a hit with consumers.

Meeting July 9 in Orlando, FL, with a group of the industry's larger and more respected foodservice operations, retailers and wholesalers, representatives from the California and Florida fresh tomato industries outlined a comprehensive, coordinated and ongoing effort to unify food-safety practices for U.S. tomatoes.

Ballantine Produce Co., based in Reedley, CA, announced July 3 that Rick Eastes has joined the company, effective July 1.

Mr. Eastes will spearhead the company's launch of its premium "Grower's Table" concept and brand in table grapes from its California production areas.

In a press release, David Albertson, president of Ballantine, called Mr. Eastes a "recognized leader and pioneer in the fresh produce industry with specific experience in the supply and marketing of table grapes from California, the Southern Hemisphere and Latin America."

RIVERHEAD, NY -- Fresh From The Start LLC is ready for another great season of its Maine broccoli.

Now in its 12th year, Fresh From The Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, expects to begin shipping broccoli from Caribou, ME, during the week of July 16.

Illustrating the company's commitment to providing shoppers with quality organic foods, Hannaford Bros. Co., which operates 159 supermarkets in the Northeast, recently announced that it had completed the rigorous process of becoming a certified organic retailer.

Hannaford is the only traditional supermarket in the Northeast to meet the strict guidelines of Quality Assurance International's Organic Certification Program for Retailers.

QAI is an independent, third-party group that verifies organic quality and integrity for organizations around the world.

The Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center at the University of California-Davis has selected Jim Gorny, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the United Fresh Produce Association and former vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the International Fresh- cut Produce Association, to join the center in the new position of executive director.