VERNON, CA — Business has been steady but somewhat flat for Professional Produce, here, over the last year, but the company is looking forward to a period of growth in the coming year, according to President Ted Kaplan.

The lack of growth during the last 12 months was not due to the economy but to health issues. “I was ill for most of the year,” so “we just kind of floated along,” Mr. Kaplan told The Produce News June 20. “I’m doing better now.”

Bob Von Rohr, director of customer relations for Sunny Valley International headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News that the New Jersey peach crop had started 10 days earlier than normal due to the warm spring temperatures, normal winter chill and good moisture.

“We had outstanding bloom by about April 5, and with a full crop set,” said Mr. Von Rohr. “We are expecting a great crop, and we were tracking for an early start during [the week of June 25].”

Sandra White, the newest member of Curry & Co.'s sales team, will be focused on the company's blueberry, blackberry and sweet onion programs. She will also assist with its 52-week red, yellow and white onion programs.

(Updated July 17, 1 p.m.)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would keep alive the Microbiological Data Program for this year, a small victory for Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and consumer groups who are pushing Congress to keep it operating next year, even though USDA never requested funding for it.

Despite the reprieve, the funding picture for next year remains far from certain.

The Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture will hold its fifth Business & Technical Convention Aug. 22-25 at the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico, with the purpose of analyzing and discussing the challenges faced today by the protected agriculture sector in North America. This event is expected to bring more than 500 local and global industry leaders together.

Baloian Farms, a fourth-generation, vertically integrated family farm based in Fresno, CA, with year-round operations specializing in peppers and mixed vegetables grown in California and Mexico, will introduce a new value-priced consumer pepper pack called "Oddbells." The launch is scheduled for late July.