AndNowUKnow: Village Farms, CTGC and United Fresh - Quick Dish

Village Farms is entering into the final stages of completion after crossing the fifteen acre mark for its new 30 acre greenhouse in Monahans, Texas. The facility is based on the company's GATES technology, which has helped to provide year-round supply and produce yields exceeding 100 kilograms per square meter per year for Village Farms. Michael DeGiglio, CEO for the company, took the time to thank the development team and contractors and added, "Fellow industry professionals have made it a point to tell us they do not recall a traditional greenhouse, let alone one as complex as our GATES greenhouse, to have been completed so expeditiously. I am extremely proud of our efforts to date and look forward to being fully operational in the spring of 2012." www.villagefarms.com The California Table Grape Commission is entering 2012 with a welcomed addition. Karen Brux has taken on the role as the Vice President of Marketing Communications and will handle domestic consumer communication as well as global brand management. Ms. Brux joined the commission earlier this year and brings international experience to her new role, having held positions within Greater China and North America for ZESPRI International. Kathleen Nave, President of the Commission, states, "Karen has significant experience in the marketing of fresh fruit." Ms. Nave continues, "She has worked in Asia, Canada and the U.S. and has experience in trade promotion, consumer education and outreach, as well as media management." www.tablegrape.com United Fresh and the USDA-AMS are kicking off the year with another United Fresh Produce Inspection Training Program beginning January 9th and running through the 13th at the USDA Fresh Products Branch Training Center. The course provides produce industry members with skills for engaging the many facets of the produce inspection process from fundamentals to hands-on commodity demonstrations and category examinations. Victoria Backer, Senior VP Member Services of United Fresh, states, "The Produce Inspection Training Program provides a blend of classroom education with hands-on training by expert instructors. Attendees will walk away with a deep knowledge of the produce quality inspection process and learn how to directly apply what they've learned on a wide range of commodities." www.unitedfresh.org