FRESNO, CA -- "A proposed change to the federal regulations on the permissible levels of loose grapes has California's fresh grape industry and U.S. retailers talking about an earlier survey by the California Table Grape Commission that indicates the change will have no impact for consumers," according to a March 7 press release from the commission. The proposed change would apply only to consumer packs such as bags and clamshells.

"Last year was our first large production of the Harper cantaloupe," said Lou Kertesz, vice president of Fresh Quest in Pompano Beach, FL. "It represented about 50 percent of our movement, but it was so successful that we increased our program to 100 percent Harper. It's the 'new generation' of melon."

Mr. Kertesz said that the Harper has several qualities that make it a superior cantaloupe.

A Pennsylvania retail executive was killed March 9.

Gary Redner, 55, was found March 10 beaten to death at his Lower Heidelberg Township residence in State Hill, PA, near Reading, PA. Mr. Redner was the executive vice president of procurement for Redner's Warehouse Markets Inc. He had worked for 38 years for the company, which was founded by his parents, Earl Redner of Wyomissing, PA, and the late Mary (Germond) Redner.

Dave Anderson joined Superior Sales Inc. in Salinas, CA, as a produce broker/salesperson Feb. 3.

Mr. Anderson will handle a full line for the company, where he said commodities include "lettuce, Romaine, all the leaf lettuces, melons, dry onions, potatoes, veggies -- if a customer asks for it, we try to find it to make sure their need is covered."

The Oppenheimer Group in Vancouver, BC, may be 150 years old, but the marketer is still doing some things for the first time.

In partnership with Bujulian Bros. Inc., Wildwood Packing & Cooling, and YNT Enterprises, all based in Kingsburg, CA, Oppenheimer will bring stone fruit grown in the state's Central Valley to the market for the first time this spring.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted March 12 to give farm bill negotiators until April 18 to broker a deal with the White House, and the House of Representatives was expected to vote on the stopgap extension later in the day.

The 2002 farm bill expires March 15, so lawmakers struggling to agree on how to finance the bill said they needed more time to negotiate differences before they recess for the two-week Easter break. Congress extended the bill once before to March 15 after failing to reach an agreement in September.