Minnesota's Twin Cities historically have had stable economies. Produce industry leaders there said that even their region has felt the national slowdown, but the effects were not severe and there are already signs of improvement. Meanwhile, competition among food retailers is increasingly fierce.

YORK, PA — It is one of those simple ideas that will probably cause people to say "Why didn't I think of that?" when they see it.

Soup and salad are a natural pair, but according to Lifestyle Foods Inc., the combination has never been put together in a package sold in U.S. produce aisles until now.

The company, which offers a line of about 20 salads and snacks in sleek packaging with modern graphics to shoppers who are active and on the go, unveiled a line of four soup-and-salad kits at a launch party Nov. 13 here at its headquarters in central Pennsylvania.

NOGALES, AZ — The Arizona Department of Agriculture, which for many years has been subcontracted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do inspections on produce crossing from Mexico into the United States through Nogales, has announced that its inspectors no longer will go into Mexico to do the inspections.

Starting in December, Pelion, SC-based Walter P. Rawl & Sons is set to debut "Paula Deen Southern Dishes."

WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association President and Tom Stenzel, the organization's chief executive officer, applauded the Nov. 19 announcement from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in her efforts to seek the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas held its 42nd Nogales Produce Convention Nov. 4-6 in Tubac, AZ.
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