The U.S. presidential election is growing tighter, according to national pundit Frank Luntz.

Luntz, participating in the United Fresh Produce Washington Congress virtual meeting on Sept. 23, spoke by Zoom to 200 produce industry participants. This general session was kicked off Ray Starling, former chief of staff to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and Tom Vilsack, former Secretary of Agriculture under President Obama. Starling and Vilsack presented their respective cases for why Donald Trump and Joe Biden is the best choice for the produce industry.

The Southeast Produce Council has announced its officers for 2020-21. They are Harold Paivarinta of Red Sun Farms as chairman of the board of directors, Raina Nelson of Renaissance Food Group as vice chairman, Tim Graas of Associated Wholesale Grocers as secretary and Mike Roberts of Harp's Food Stores as treasurer.

Jimmy Panetta and Rodney Davis warned that they will not be seen together on national news networks.

Why not? After all, they respect each other, they are friends, and they cooperate to get things done for American agriculture.

Panetta is the U.S. Representative for the nation’s “Salad Bowl,” California District 20. He’s a Democrat. Davis, on the other hand, is a Republican from Illinois District 13.

SUNSET and Brighter Bites are joining forces to do some good in the produce world and have some fun while doing so. The two organizations are partnering in a groundbreaking virtual event for the produce industry that will help raise funds to support the Brighter Bites mission of delivering fresh produce to families who need it most.

The Southeast Produce Council's Executive Committee announced Aug. 9 that Southern Innovations 2020, which was to be held Sept. 16-19 in Savannah, GA, has been postponed until next year due to growing concerns and restrictions surrounding COVID-19.

Southern Innovations 2021 is already set to be held at the same venue in the fall of next year.

United Fresh Live! week may have come to a close, but the event is by no means over.

“There is so much more that continues to live on the platform, and we encourage exhibitors and attendees to continue to take advantage of it this summer,” said Mary Coppola, vice president of marketing and communications for United Fresh Produce Association, on the final day of the virtual event.