CHESHIRE, CT -- The Private Label Manufacturers Association capped a year of unprecedented acclaim for store brands by honoring some of the country's better private-label programs and products at its annual trade show held in Chicago this past November.

Justin Robinson, who is featured in the California Giant advertising and marketing campaign for 2006, has won the Cyclocross National Championship held earlier this month in snowy New England.

Far from the California sunshine, Mr. Robinson was able to overcome the freezing elements and bring home the championship for the second year in a row for California Giant Berry Farms. The company said that it is extremely proud of the team at this most recent event with three of the members standing on the podium wearing the Cal Giant colors.

SALINAS, CA -- Fresh produce industry leaders representing all the major trade associations congregated here Dec. 13 for a forum on assuring a safe supply of lettuce for consumers as well as retail and foodservice buyers with an eye toward eliminating any incidence of foodborne illness associated with California lettuce.

VISALIA, CA -- Extensive consumer research undertaken by the California Tree Fruit Agreement over the past year has revealed some enlightening facts about consumer preferences regarding peaches, plums and nectarines, according to CTFA President Blair Richardson.

Speaking at the group's annual grower dinner and town hall meeting held here Tuesday, Dec. 6, Mr. Richardson summarized the findings by saying, "What it all boils down to, it is all about choice." There is no one size or color or degree of firmness or softness "that is perfect for everyone," he said.

NEWARK, DE -- Twenty-four food and agricultural marketing students and their faculty advisors representing six colleges learned the depth and breadth of produce industry career options at Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, held Nov. 4-8 in Atlanta.

The students were chosen to participate in The Pack Family/ PMA Career Pathways Fund, a program designed to develop leaders in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

Early in November, the Food & Drug Administration sent a warning letter to lettuce producers in the Salinas Valley expressing concern over foodborne illnesses and outbreaks associated with lettuce.

Since the FDA letter, there has been an article in The Wall Street Journal titled "When Eating Your Vegetables Makes You Sick." And an article in The Los Angeles Times in late November quoted a Los Angeles County Department of Health official as saying that lettuce was the likely culprit in a number of Hepatitis A outbreaks in his county.