WASHINGTON  Pressing trade issues and budget cuts will influence the 2007 farm bill, but that is not enough to dissuade fruit and vegetable businesses that are looking for a bigger slice of the pie this time around.

For the first time ever, fresh table grapes grown in South Korea have apparently entered the U.S. marketplace.

On Friday, Aug. 19, the Korean Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry announced that 330 kilograms of the Campbell Early grape variety, produced in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, passed quarantine inspection earlier in the week and were shipped via air to Los Angeles. The JoongAng Daily Korean newspaper reported that the grapes arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, Aug. 18.

CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its port facilities at Gulfport, MS, were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Gulfport is one of five U.S. ports the company uses to import bananas and other fresh produce.

Skagit Valley potato grower Roger Knutzen has been renamed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits & Vegetables by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman.

"American agriculture continues to play a critical role in our agenda of opening markets and expanding opportunities around the world," said Mr. Portman. The advice offered by these committee members will help ensure that Americans are competing on a level playing field and have the opportunity to sell their world class goods in overseas markets.

Watsonville, CA-based Classic Salads expects to launch a company web site within a few weeks at www.classicsalads.com.

The company also recently added Jill Lenz to its sales team. Ms. Lenz previously was in sales for Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle.


United's leadership program makes stop in Salinas

Increased consumer demand for organic products has prompted Gilroy, CA-based Gourmet Veg-Paq Inc. to ramp up operations accordingly.

The company is doubling its square footage in El Centro, CA, with the expected November completion of a 40,000-square-foot facility. The company is also building a new facility in Hollister, CA, near Gilroy. The company plans to move into the Hollister location when it returns from El Centro.