Supply Chain

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Through the generosity of participating supporters and KEF Media Associates, the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) based here conducted a satellite media tour this week with PBH president and c.e.o. Elizabeth Pivonka, who stressed the importance of including fruits and vegetables in the daily diets of Americans.

NEWARK, Del. -- Stephen Barnard, president of Mission Produce, Inc. in Oxnard, Calif., will chair the first official board meeting of the Produce Marketing Association Education Foundation (PMAEF) here.

WASHINGTON -- With the spinach category still reeling from food-borne illness outbreaks, the calls are welling up here for fortifying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

NEWARK, Del. -- Armed with a mandate to examine the future of global produce standards in several key areas, the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) has been officially incorporated in the United Kingdom, with the Produce Marketing Association here assuming responsibility as the organization¿s secretary-general.

CINCINNATI -- The industry's biggest official business victim of the outbreak of E. coli-infected spinach so far appears to be Chiquita Brands International, Inc. here, which said yesterday that the spinach-contamination crisis, as well as weak demand for its staple bananas, are hurting business enough for it to squash its quarterly dividend.

CINCINNATI -- The industry's biggest official business victim of the outbreak of E. coli-infected spinach so far appears to be Chiquita Brands International, Inc. here, which said yesterday that the spinach-contamination crisis, as well as weak demand for its staple bananas, are hurting business enough for it to squash its quarterly dividend.

AMSTERDAM -- Royal Ahold NV here would potentially have a c.e.o. appointed by Brussels-based Delhaize Group, if the two companies agree to a merger. Also, the sale of Ahold¿s U.S. operations is still on the table, according to published reports in Europe.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said on Friday it plans to measure its 60,000 worldwide suppliers on their ability to develop packaging and conserve natural resources. This initiative, scheduled to begin in 2008, is projected to reduce overall packaging by five percent.