PHILADELPHIA -- The North American Perishable Agricultural Receivers organization will no longer be a branch of the Food Marketing Institute. But Patrick Davis will remain the president of NAPAR, and the association representing the interests of produce wholesalers will continue to operate from the Arlington, VA, offices of FMI.

With the change, Mr. Davis is no longer an employee of FMI, but he will be a consultant to FMI, with the responsibility of managing FMI's strategic initiatives share group.

NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association announced June 12 its support for a Bush administration proposal to increase U.S. Food & Drug Administration funding to strengthen the agency's food safety capabilities.

MISSION, TX -- The main citrus packing facility and the office for Rio Queen Citrus Inc. were destroyed by fire June 11 after a welder's torch apparently ignited insulation, according to an announcement from TexaSweet Citrus Marketing Inc. and the Texas Produce Association. There were no injuries in the complex, which was undergoing off-season repairs.

MEDFORD NJ -- The Philadelphia Chapter of the United Fresh Produce Association held its annual Louis Penza Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament at the Medford Village Country Club, here, June 6.

About 100 golfers came from or were customers of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, and more than $10,000 was raised for local charities through the event.

San Diego-based US Farms Inc., a diversified farming and nursery company, announced June 10 that it is in the process of divesting the non-performing parts of its produce brokerage segment, specifically the tomato, asparagus and garlic operations.

This restructuring will allow the company to focus on its long-term strategies of expanding its core aloe vera farming and nursery operations, as well as completing the intended acquisition of specific aloe vera manufacturing and bottling equipment, for which the company has a current letter of intent.