WASHINGTON -- Food safety may be one of many hot-button issues that could hang up the 2007 farm bill this year as the deadline approaches for the Senate to take up the massive legislation.

At an Oct. 2 press conference, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) criticized language in the House version of the farm bill that would allow state-inspected meat to be shipped across the country. Other issues, such as tougher safety requirements for imports, a new federal fresh produce safety program, and even AgJOBs, could come up.

Sunny Valley Organics Inc. in Nogales, AZ, is introducing a line of organic heirloom tomatoes. Grown in greenhouses in various locations in Mexico, the products will be available year round, according to Miguel Crisantes Sr., the company's owner and general manager.

The product line will consist of large Beefsteak heirloom tomatoes in assorted varieties and colors as well as mini-tomatoes, also in assorted varieties and colors.

Tristan Millar Kieva, vice president of marketing at Los Angeles-based Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative, will be leaving Sun Pacific Oct. 9 to take a job as head of the brand marketing division of Consumer Effects International in Sacramento, CA.

Consumer Effects, which was recently acquired by Sacramento-based Augustine & Associates, is a consumer-marketing agency that works with retailers and their suppliers to boost sales.

GREENSBORO, NC -- The Southeast Produce Council's annual fall conference, held here Sept. 27-29, drew more attendees than ever before, who heard about the latest industry trends, opportunities and challenges during an informative Supply Chain Summit and enjoyed the many fun-filled activities during the course of the three-day event.

The Idaho Potato Commission announced the appointment of Kent Beesley as retail promotions director for the West.

Mr. Beesley will be responsible for educating retailers on how Idaho potatoes can help boost profits in the potato category in grocery stores and other venues where potatoes are sold. His territory covers Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Watsonville, CA-based California Giant Berry Farms has expanded its entire family of berries both in acreage and with regard to seasonality. This latest expansion is a direct result of customer demand for a complete berry line on a year-round basis.