BERLIN -- Fruit Logistica, the international produce trade show and exhibition begun in 1993 and held annually, here, reached new heights with its record-breaking attendance and participation. And while the United States was one of the 112 countries represented among the exhibitors, the two dozen or so U.S. exhibitors paled in comparison to the strong showing by other exhibiting nations.

At its Feb. 3 annual board of directors meeting, Washington Asparagus Commission Executive Director Alan Schreiber told board members that forged checks totaling more than $63,000 had been written on the Eltopia, WA-based commission's account throughout 2005, and the organization's former bookkeeper is under investigation by local and state authorities.