Wal-Mart highlighted its commitment to carry more local fruits and vegetables in California, to keep produce prices down and offer affordable selections that are fresh and healthy during a watermelon promotion event in West Sacramento, CA.

The retailer also said that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years -- one example of the company's efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food.

WASHINGTON -- Tomato growers and first handlers nationwide could get money for losses stemming from the federal government's Salmonella warning if a bill introduced June 24 by U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) becomes law.

The Food & Drug Administration announced Friday afternoon, July 25, that it is revising its consumer advice to indicate that all fresh Jalapeno and Serrano peppers grown in the United States are not associated with the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, and are thus safe to consume.

Retailers and restaurants are advised that they may sell U.S.-grown peppers without concern about this outbreak, according to a report e-mailed by the United Fresh Produce Association, in Washington, DC.

After a 16-year run with Metro Inc., Alain Pare has left the Montreal-based firm -- one of Canada's larger retailers -- to join Groupe Connexion in Joliette, QC.

Mr. Pare's first day with Groupe Connexion was July 21. Groupe Connexion is a holding company for three businesses owned by Daniel Berard: Danfreight Systems Inc., VegKiss and B&B Gardens.

WASHINGTON -- Described as a breakthrough by FDA officials at the Food & Drug Administration, the agency has found a Mexican-picked jalapeno pepper at a Texas distributor that matches the Salmonella Saintpaul serotype that has caused more than 1,200 people to become ill.

Now FDA officials are working feverishly with Agricola Zaragosa, a small distributor in McAllen, TX, to issue a recall notice to its buyers. "We presented the information to the firm, and a recall is underway," David Acheson, FDA's associate commissioner for food, said in a July 21 call with reporters.