NEW YORK -- Obesity awareness, the health and nutrition movement, the new USDA MyPyramid Plan and a restructured understanding of the importance of regular exercise and physical activity are all having a dramatic impact on how American consumers spends their time and money.

They have also inspired innovative food producers to tap into the movement by introducing products that promise good nutrition.

Although it's mid-summer, several Florida agricultural organizations already are working on their Christmas cards through an annual fundraiser for RCMA, the rural child care and education provider.

Children from RCMA centers statewide drew colorful, unique Christmas scenes that are being converted into holiday greeting cards to raise money for the non-profit organization, which cares for more than 6,200 children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families statewide.

PRINCETON, NJ -- About 50 people gathered here Friday morning, July 29 to hear New Jersey's governor and secretary of agriculture thank the attendees for their ongoing support of the state's fresh produce industry and to offer a brief update on the 2005 Jersey Fresh promotional campaign.

For the second consecutive year, Sage Fruit Co. has used the catchy "Diamond of Fruit" tag for Northwest cherries for a diamond giveaway in the greater Kansas City area.

Sage, with growing operations in Washington state and sales and marketing offices strategically positioned across the country, is headed by Chuck Sinks, president, who was on hand July 30 for the culmination of the promotion, which was held at 21 Kansas City-area Price Chopper stores.

W. Newell & Co. announced Aug. 1 that Keith Frosceno has joined the company as regional vice president of sales, and Charlie Nealis as area sales director. Both Messrs. Frosceno and Nealis have nearly 20 years' experience in the produce industry.

This summer, ENZA has tuned up the apple category with the "Pure Apple Groove" of Jazz.

The popular Royal Gala/Braeburn cross, now grown in New Zealand and in Washington, is appearing at jazz festivals, concerts and in retail produce departments throughout the United States and Canada. The Oppenheimer Group, ENZA's North American marketing arm, has even brought jazz musicians into stores to serenade shoppers as they sample the tangy-sweet apple.