By all accounts, the 2005 California pomegranate crop is on the light side and it is running a couple of weeks later than usual.

However, in late August, the crop was still sizing and grower-shippers said that there is a good chance that the larger-sized fruit will make up for the lighter fruit set.

Apparently a combination of rain and heat reduced the set this year and has led to the unusual crop conditions.

With the Atkins Diet all but laid to rest, potatoes are making new consumer inroads this year, and Farm Fresh Direct LLC of Monte Vista, CO, has teamed up with seasoning giant Lawry's to present a new twist on spud cuisine.

Marketed under the brand "Lawrys Spice n Simple," the new line pairs five-pound bags of Farm Fresh Direct russet potatoes with one of three different flavor packets and recipes on how to prepare the new fare.

CHESHIRE, CT  Bozzuto's Inc. and IGA Hometown Wheels held their fifth annual Dream Ride Aug. 21 at the Farmington (CT) Club, raising over $60,000 for Connecticuts Special Olympics program.

Adam J. Bozzuto, founder of Bozzutos, had a dream to build a facility in Connecticut where special children could thrive and experience joy from the opportunities that the facility could provide. For the last five years, Bozzutos, in conjunction with IGA Hometown Wheels and local sponsors, has set forth to make that dream a reality with the annual Dream Ride.

A six-month RFID project has been launched by the University of Florida's Center for Food Distribution & Retailing in Gainesville, FL, that is designed to actually use the data that are being collected and see how they help supply chain visibility between the supplier and retailer.

Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, FL, has volunteered to be the retailer for this project. All tracked shipments will be received at the Publix distribution center in Lakeland.

It is the job of The Produce News to report news that relates to the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

As such, the overwhelming majority of our content, both editorial and advertising, focuses directly on the industry.

Rarely do we delve into the broader issues of the world around us, issues which are better left to daily newspapers, magazines, television and radio.

But not always.

The government of Mexico held its official opening of a consulate office Aug. 29 in Leamington, ON. The purpose of the office and the staff's assigned functions may well prove to be a lesson for other countries, including the United States.