Fresh produce giant Taylor Fresh Foods, Salinas, Calif., acquired competitor River Ranch Fresh Foods, also based in Salinas.

Small, batch-roasted coffees. Farmstead cheeses. Artisan breads. Why not a salad to complement those offerings? Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Cincinnati, says consumer insights led to the launch of  new Fresh Express artisanal salads.

Earthbound Farm, San Juan Bautista, Calif., said it established a new product innovation team to develop new product lines.

A national food safety organization has recognized the University of California-Davis and refrigerated salad processor Fresh Express Inc. for food safety contributions in frozen and refrigerated food applications.

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Monterey, Calif., said it promoted Chris Mayhew to director of marketing, Salads.

The non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports says its latest tests of packaged leafy greens found bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination.

Kroger Co., Cincinnati, said its new Fresh Selections ready-to-serve packaged salads feature new packaging technology that enables consumers to learn where the produce was grown.

Pure Pacific Organics, a processor of organic fresh-cut products such as baby spinach and spring mix, installed Optyx with FluoRaptor, the new fluorescence-sensing laser sorter from Key Technology.