The 13th is proving to be a lucky number for DNE and the Australian citrus crop it has imported exclusively since 1992. The arrival of the River Phoenix with the year's first shipment of seedless Navel oranges from the Aussie groves, occurred at the port of San Diego July 6, carrying some good news for retailers as well.

FRESNO, CA -- The California Table Grape Commission's 2005 marketing program consists of many different elements, all designed to help retailers increase their grape category sales.

According to Cindy Plummer, the commission's vice president of domestic marketing, there are several new components to the program this year.

A hot and dry April, followed by a wet and cold May, and then finally a very hot and dry June have challenged New York state's growers so far this season, but when all is said and done, almost all expect to have great-quality crops.

"It has been a season of extremes, but overall crops are looking good," said Steve Reiners, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at Cornell University and a staff member at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY.

Sweet onions have long laid claim to being devoid of the acid enzyme that causes burning eyes and profuse tearing. While chefs and home cooks will tolerate the temporary discomfort if it means having onions in their recipes, many have switched to the sweet varieties to avoid the annoyance.

The Tropea onion, also touted as the "Sweet Red Onion of Tropea," lays a particularly strong claim to being the sweetest of all onions. Chefs and home cooks in the United States now have the ability to test the theory for themselves.

WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association has selected Lorelei DiSogra, director of the federal government's 5 A Day program for the past four years and a former Dole Food Co. executive, to join the association in the new position of vice president of nutrition and health, effective Aug. 1.

Retail fresh-cut specialist Renaissance Food Group announced the addition of Fruit Dynamics LLC in Naples, FL, to its fresh-cut supply chain network. Renaissance began shipping to Southeast retailers from the new location on July 1.

The new license agreement will expand Renaissance's next-day fresh-cut distribution of its "Garden Highway" line of premium quality fresh-cut fruits, vegetables and overwrap melon halves and quarters to retailers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.