WASHINGTON — Specialty crop producers got bad news Thursday as the U.S. House of Representatives voted 195-234 to reject the 2013 farm bill, raising more uncertainty about whether Congress can agree on a five-year, $940 billion bill this year.

The House leadership failed to bridge the divide as many Democrats voted against the bill because of steep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the food stamp program, and many Republicans voted against the measure because of its cost.

John Chamberlain, director of marketing for Limoneira, headquartered in Santa Paula, CA, said that the company has been introducing its Unleash the Natural Power of Lemons campaign to its retail, foodservice and wholesale customers.

Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for Village Farms International, headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, told The Produce News that the company recently hosted chefs from several Vancouver Fairmont properties at its Delta, British Columbia greenhouse for a tomato school.

“The gathering consisted of the chefs, cooks and sous-chefs from the local region including the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and Fairmont Pacific Rim,” Aquino said. 

Mike and Mike’s, an organic fruit and vegetable distributor based in Woodbridge, Ontario, is celebrating years of constant growth by expanding its product lines and its community involvement. The company has just picked up packaged salads by California-based Organic Girl.

State-of-the-art technology doesn’t come close to describing the thought put into every detail to ensure Nature Fresh Farms is operating at peak efficiency.

The Leamington-based greenhouse operation is one of the largest greenhouse producers in Canada and one of the largest pepper growers in North America.

The Produce News recently sat down with Mike Venton, senior vice president fresh food discount and produce procurement for Loblaw Cos. Ltd, and discussed key priorities for the company, including trends, issues impacting the industry and what qualities they look for in suppliers.