WASHINGTON — All eyes may be on the Food & Drug Administration’s food-safety rules, but the United Fresh Produce Association is also keeping close tabs on problems that members may be experiencing in moving fresh produce through border crossings and ports, another food-safety topic on the agenda at this month’s Washington Public Policy Conference.

CHICAGO — The U.S. apple industry has facts reinforcing the strength of its future.

This is based on demographic information showing that oncoming U.S. population growth will be coming from a health-conscious Generation Y as well as immigrant populations. All of these groups are concerned with eating healthy produce, such as apples.

Key indicators are for food marketers if they study and anticipate marketing changes, according to demographer Ken Gronbach of KGC Direct, based in Haddam, CT.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association is a non-profit organization of over 5,000 farmers, gardeners, landscape professionals and consumers working to promote healthy food, organic farming practices and a cleaner environment. 

NOFA has chapters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

With its warm days and cool nights, Maine is a Utopia for summer broccoli production. But early July was unusually warm and wet, making the start of the season a challenge for Smith Packing Inc., a leading broccoli grower-shipper based in Presque Isle, ME.

In fact, broccoli production across the nation in early summer was limited, leading to some tight supplies and a very strong market in the beginning of the deal.

The California Grill of the Pajaro Valley Restaurant, located at the Freedom Centre in Freedom, CA, has its own very special niche that serves it and its patrons well. The popular restaurant is owned by Dick Peixoto, who also owns Lakeside Organic Gardens, headquartered in Watsonville, CA. His daughter, Ashley Peixoto is co-owner and the restaurant manager.

As marketing agent for the New York Apple Association, John McAleavey coordinates sales and merchandising activities for the association from New England down through the mid-Atlantic region.

And after more than 40 years working in this capacity, he is getting some welcome assistance from his son, John Jr., and his daughter, Susan.