WASHINGTON -- Tom Stenzel, United Fresh Produce Association's president and chief executive officer, released Sept. 29 the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children, which will begin national distribution of fruit and vegetable vouchers Oct. 1.

LIMA, PERU -- Peru's land and weather make it an ideal location for fresh fruit and vegetable production, according to Fernando Albareda, the commercial counselor for the consulate general of Peru in Miami. "Our fruit is sweeter because we have more sun," he said, adding that moderate temperatures are also a huge plus.

On Peru's central coast, Fahrenheit temperatures typically stay between 50 and 77, he added. "It only gets to freezing in the Andes." In the world, 104 microclimates have been identified, and Peru possesses 84 of those microclimates.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to expand the fresh-cut apple pilot program to more states and test baby carrots after working out the kinks of its successful pilot project.

From March 27 to June 30, USDA worked with vendors who helped deliver fresh-cut apple slices to kids in school districts in California, Michigan, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania. USDA purchased more than 3 million pounds of fresh-cut apple slices in two-ounce bags in an attempt to boost fresh fruit consumption with more convenient packages.

Industry leaders, key politicians and American heroes are among those scheduled to address the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's 66th annual convention Sept. 27-29 in Palm Beach, FL.

Salinas, CA -- Knobeloch Jenkins Associates LLC announced Sept. 25 the formation of a collaborative strategic partnership with Bancroft Partners LLC, a San Francisco-based financial advisory firm, serving companies, entrepreneurs and investors.

LOS ANGELES -- Gourmet Trading Co. announced the third week in September that the purple asparagus season in Peru has started. Both 11- pound and five-pound boxes are available and ready for promotion in the retail and foodservice sectors.