USA Onions/Weber grill products “Get Grillin’“ football bowl season retail display contest kicked off Dec. 15, and produce managers across the country have received their custom logo-emblazoned black Weber Kettle grills as well as plenty of Spanish Sweets from the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion-growing region.

Although it is located in the Eastern United States, Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, is a major exception to the huge crop losses most growers suffered in 2012. In fact, the company has the largest crop of apples in its near 100-year history.

John Rice, president of the company, told The Produce News that the firm’s situation is different than other apple producers due to its precise location in the Adams County Fruit Belt.

The media exposure related to food allergies, including lactose intolerance, during the past few years is a clear indication that consumers are looking for more dairy-free foods, according to Jamie Schapiro, director of marketing for Galaxy Nutritional Foods, headquartered in North Kingstown, RI.

With the new proposed produce rule requiring handlers of produce to create food-safety practices that can be verified and audited, the cantaloupe industry is a step ahead of the game.

BOISE, ID — The Idaho Potato Commission’s popular Idaho Potato Lover’s Month retail display contest is in its 22nd year, and Jamie Bowen, marketing manager for the commission, expects to see more than 2,500 entries this year, topping the previous record set in 2011.

Watson Mulhern LLC, a leading Washington-based food and agriculture issues management and policy firm, announced that Randy Green joined as principal Jan. 1 and that Watson Mulhern will collaborate with Mr. Green’s former firm, McLeod, Watkinson & Miller, to enhance both firms’ capacities to serve clients.