WASHINGTON -- A congressional hearing raised serious questions about the adequacy of border security from foreign pests and diseases, prompting one congressman to say that the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program was "in shambles."

"Stopping foreign pests and prohibited agricultural products from entering the U.S. might not be as sexy as stopping terrorists, weapons or drugs, but it is certainly just as important," said Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, who called the Oct. 3 hearing.

HOUSTON -- Since 2002, the Produce for Kids retail-supplier fundraising partnership has raised $1,187,707 for Children's Miracle Network, benefiting and saving the lives of countless children, John Shuman, president of Reidsville, GA-based sweet onion handler Shuman Produce Inc. and founder of PFK, told the audience gathered here to celebrate the success of the program.

Well Pict Inc. in Watsonville, CA, has several new developments in both its organic and conventional lines, which it featured at this year's PMA Fresh Summit convention Oct. 12-15 in Houston.

In response to the changes and demands of today's marketplace, Well Pict said that it is continuing to expand packaging, product options and availability for its premium proprietary variety berries.

At last year's Produce Marketing Association convention in San Diego, the spinach recall was top of mind and was the major topic of conversation throughout the convention -- both in organized seminar sessions and on the exposition floor.

The California Avocado Commission's fully integrated marketing campaign promoting fresh California avocados generated consumer awareness and demand this season with its "California Avocado Irresistible Challenge."

Using a combination of radio spot advertising, outdoor advertising, on-line banner ads, trade communications (foodservice and retail), public relations, point-of-sale support materials and a dedicated web site, the campaign generated millions of impressions, over 100,000 consumer entries and dozens of entries in the in-store display contest.

Yerington, NV-based Peri & Sons Farms has expanded its Nevada operations into Firebaugh, CA, with a multi-million-dollar, first-phase packaging and storage facility to accommodate a new trademarked year-round onion program that has been dubbed Onions All Year.

The 12-month deal comes nearly 30 years after David Peri started his farm in Nevada in 1979 at age 21.