ORLANDO, FL — A new port on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast is helping the politically challenged country move ahead economically.

Nicaragua had a presence at the PMA Fresh Summit convention, here, to promote its fresh fruit, vegetable and other perishable exports.

Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio, TX, which was shut down Oct. 20 after Texas authorities tied the processor to a listeriosis outbreak, is fighting the charges in the press.

Six of the 10 cases of listeria poisoning have been traced to chopped celery from the Sangar plant, said the Texas Department of State Health Services, and 10 cases, including five deaths, have been reported to state authorities over the last eight months.

Produce and floral suppliers from across the United States and around the world donated an estimated 266,330 pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida following the close of the 2010 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, held Oct. 15-18 in Orlando, FL.

ORLANDO, FL — Whether traceability comes from a government mandate or a competitive market, there is much motivation for the produce industry to pursue it, Thomas Eckschmidt of Brazil's PariPassu told attendees of a workshop during the 2010 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, held here Oct. 15-18.

"Traceability allows us to tell our story first," Mr. Eckschmidt said. “Some people out there are just waiting to tell stories about how bad our food can be.”

ORLANDO, FL — The Argentinean Blueberry Committee was created this spring in a cooperative effort by the country's five leading exporters.

Ines Pelaez, manager of the new committee, was a guest speaker at the Oct 15 Chilean fruit meeting that was held here in conjunction with the 2010 PMA Fresh Summit. Ms. Pelaez and Chilean interests both emphasized that the Argentine and Chilean blueberry interests are complementary because Argentina precedes Chile into the market each fall.

National Apple Month's 2010 retail display contest is in full swing, but there is still time for retailers across the country to take advantage of the contest and boost their apple sales.

The contest began Sept. 1 and runs until Nov. 30, and retailers can submit entries until Nov. 30. Full details are available on-line at www.usapple.org/industry/apple month or by calling NAM Director Kay Rentzel at 717/432-0090.