WASHINGTON -- In a move that will provide a new asset for its members involved in the global fresh convenience industry that encompasses fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as well as innovative commodity packaging, the United Fresh Produce Association has announced a partnership with Market Intelligence's Fresh Convenience magazine to present the Fresh Convenience Congress, a new educational program for the fresh-cut and value-added commodity sector June 22-24 at London's Hilton Tower Bridge hotel.

VANCOUVER -- Canadians are feeling fairly bullish right now. They are happy with themselves, and they believe the economy is improving.

ATLANTA -- In 1969, Apollo 11 carried the first men to land on the moon, the Beatles released Abbey Road, The Brady Bunch premiered on television, and a man named Tommy Irvin became commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Irvin was appointed by the governor to finish the term of the departing agriculture commissioner. The Atlanta Journal & Constitution ran an editorial suggesting that he was merely keeping the chair warm until the next election.

WASHINGTON -- Top leaders of the Produce Marketing Association met with members of Congress and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials the week of May 10 to voice support for immigration reform, food safety and boosting consumption of fruits and vegetables.

PMA has ramped up its presence in Washington in recent years and is now viewed on Capitol Hill as an authority for "real world information that's credible," PMA President Bryan Silbermann told The Produce News May 15.

If there is one key to winning over another bell pepper customer according to Mike Aiton, it is a good recipe, an explanation about chili rellenos, a chart showing nutritional content or anything written that educates.

Mr. Aiton, who heads Coachella, CA-based Prime Time International's marketing, new business development and new product development, said that bell peppers -- more than other products -- convince customers once they grasp their nutritional content and status as a staple in diets worldwide.

Fremont, CA-based Purfresh, a provider of technologies that purify, protect and preserve food and water, announced May 10 results of recent third-party research that demonstrate ozone's applicability and effectiveness as a tool to improve the safety of fresh food.