Poor yields and small head sizes have hampered a desert lettuce deal that should continue into the week of March 26.

Mike Marcroft, commodity manager for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms' lettuce program, said that a cold snap in January delayed the company's harvest dates, adding that there have been small heads industrywide. "Fortunately, we've had a good amount of ours pack out 24s," Mr. Marcroft said of the firm's lettuce heads.

Citrus Industries in Three Rivers, CA, has designated Seald Sweet West International Inc. in Visalia, CA, as the exclusive sales agent for its fresh- packed fruit, primarily citrus, from Mexico.

According to David Muse, vice president of operations and marketing at Seald Sweet West, the program will consist primarily of Valencia oranges, both organic and conventional.

As part of the Mushroom Council's renewed effort to increase demand for fresh mushrooms, it recently adopted a new logo and tagline -- "Mushrooms. Nature's Hidden Treasure." -- which will be used in consumer and foodservice communications.

The logo and tagline are available for use on packages of fresh mushrooms at retail, providing a unifying theme for U.S. mushroom growers or shippers whose mushrooms are sold under a variety of brand labels. The logo was introduced last month at the biennial North American Mushroom Conference in San Diego.

Dona Abbott, a director of Highland Supply Corp. in Highland, IL, and an internationally recognized artist, died March 2 in Boulder, CO, after a five- year battle with cancer. She was 66.

Ms. Abbott, vice president of advertising, worked for Highland Supply Corp. for 37 years handling creative design and advertising. She retired from Highland in 2000.

SALINAS, CA -- Blazer Wilkinson, one of the nation's larger shippers of fresh strawberries, will grow, market and ship California strawberries under the "Foxy" brand beginning in mid-March.

Under terms of the licensing agreement with The Nunes Co., owners of the "Foxy" brand, Blazer Wilkinson will handle all sales of "Foxy" strawberries to retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States.

WASHINGTON -- Federal food-safety officials publicized the release of the final guidelines for handling of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables on the same day U.S. Food & Drug Administration officials testified before Congress on produce safety.

FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach said that Americans should be eating fresh-cut produce as part of a healthy diet, but these products are one area where foodborne illnesses occur.