Over much of its 95-year history, produce distributor Sun Valley Fruit Co. (previously known as Hutchinson Fruit) owned its vehicles to pick up products and make deliveries. But about a year ago, the company made a significant change and began leasing trucks through PacLease.

WASHINGTON -- Issues facing the California specialty crops industry will be showcased Aug. 26 when Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) takes lawmakers with a congressional subcommittee to his district for a field hearing.

The House Agriculture Subcommittee wants to hear about the successes and failures experienced under the federal grants program, along with its unique challenges, such as trade issues, pest and disease problems, and conservation difficulties.

What would you do if a food-borne illness were traced to your produce? Events beyond your control can put your company right in the middle of a crisis at any time, and how you respond to it can make all the difference.

The new PMA Crisis Management Manual is designed to do just that -- help the produce industry prepare for and properly manage any kind of crisis that may occur. This user-friendly guide was released at the 2005 Foodservice Conference Tours & Exposition July 23-25 in Monterey, CA.

Morinaga Nutritional Foods Inc., a leader in the soyfoods industry and maker of shelf-stable "Mori-Nu" silken tofu based in Los Angeles, has introduced a tofu especially designed to address health concerns of women.

The new Mori-Nu enriched silken tofu contains the ingredients that women especially are striving to get more of in their diet: calcium and fiber.

LA MIRADA, CA -- As has been the case for many years, the mid-summer luncheon membership meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, held here Aug. 3 at the Gateway Plaza Holiday Inn, was devoted to raising funds for the City of Hope, a Southern California cancer and research hospital.

Recently formed Greenhouse Produce Co. LLC in Mission, TX, has finalized its marketing team with the addition of three experienced produce professionals.