WASHINGTON -- Companies that handle fresh cilantro received an unwelcome warning March 31 when the Food & Drug Administration wrote the industry about an increase in Salmonella-positive samples.

Since 2004, the FDA has confirmed Salmonella in 28 samples of fresh cilantro from U.S. and foreign sources, Michael Landa, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, wrote in a March 31 letter to companies that handle cilantro.

The annual Sonora Grape Summit is scheduled to be held April 28-29 in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The event will be hosted by the Asociation Agricola Local de Productores Uva de Mesa, the local association of table grape growers in Sonora, commonly known by its Spanish acronym, AALPUM.

Although the United States is the largest receiver of Chilean fresh fruit exports, there is still room to grow. Tom Tjerandsen, managing director for North America for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in Sonoma, CA, said this is good news for domestic retailers.

The arrival of a new leader at the helm of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association does not mean there will be sudden changes.

Mann Packing is supporting its sales program with multiple promotions the next three months.

Starting in mid-April, Mann, based in Salinas, CA, will place instant redeemable coupons on 100,000 packages of eight-ounce stringless sugar snap peas and 12-ounce green beans. The offer is good for $1 savings for any two packages of the Mann's products purchased. This annual promotion is historically a success nationwide; the 2010 redemption rate was 18 percent.

With the major competition season right around the corner, the U.S. Women's National Water Polo team is gearing up for two exhibition matches against tough European competitors. And among their secret weapons will be fresh apples and pears from Stemilt Growers.