In 1999, U.S. consumption of grapefruit reached an all-time high. A decade later, totals stand at half that glorious peak. One-third of growers have abandoned production in the past 10 years, and some even question the future of white grapefruit as a viable commodity.

What happened?

The Florida citrus industry would love a simple answer to that question. While grapefruit sales overall have plummeted - 80 percent of Americans never touch the stuff. The bottom has literally dropped out of the market for white grapefruit.

The California Tree Fruit Agreement in Reedley, CA, has selected Gary Van Sickle as its next president following the departure of Sherrie Mierau in December. The appointment was announced in a Feb. 17 press release.

"If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?" -- Vince Lombardi

It's no secret that I'm a New York Yankees fan. My family, friends and industry associates have accepted my passionate madness every baseball season as a devout supporter of the team.

Obviously, 2009 was a winning year, but it wasn't easy as I struggled through many close games. I was totally exhausted from tossing my wife's couch pillows at the TV screen. In the end, the Yankees came out the winners. Thank goodness it was finally over. Besides, I ran out of pillows.

The strawberry market rose several dollars per tray leading into the Valentine's Day holiday weekend and remained above $20 per flat the following week (Feb. 15-19) as demand exceeded supply. However, several days of dry weather in California and improving growing conditions in Florida should result in better supplies by the time the calendar turns to March.

PLANT CITY, FL -- Long-time strawberry grower-shipper Charles Lawton died Jan. 25 after a long battle with cancer. He was 57.

Born on a farm in Rushville, IN, Mr. Lawton originally entered the construction business before his love of agriculture lured him back to the produce industry. Mr. Lawton founded Dixie Growers in Plant City in 1981 with his brother and another partner, eventually taking sole control of the company.