TUBAC, AZ -- Members of the Nogales produce industry, who supply the United States with the bulk of its winter vegetables, gathered here Nov. 12- 14 for business sessions and networking events designed to create dialogue and exchange ideas as the Nogales season was preparing to kick off.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approached, bringing with it an increase in demand for vegetables the week of Nov. 16-20, Romaine prices shot through the roof and many other items experienced very strong markets.

When a commodity such as apples experiences large national volumes, it typically means lower prices. But reports from across the country indicate that apples are enjoying strong movements both domestically and to foreign markets, and prices are holding.

WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee unanimously passed its version of a food-safety bill Nov. 18 in less than two hours, clearing the way for it to reach the Senate floor.

WASHINGTON -- Some $49 million was doled out last month for specialty crop block grants, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon be inviting applications for fiscal 2010 grants aimed at boosting the competitiveness of specialty crops.

States are rolling out the farm bill money to fund projects to support specialty crops: fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery crops.

Weather-related tomato shortages in some areas of North America, combined with seasons winding down or yet to start in others, have resulted in some of the higher tomato prices in history.

The buzz around the East Coast Nov. 18 was that bulk boxes of vine-ripened tomatoes were commanding $35-$40.

Jeff Ornstein, co-owner of Eli & Ali's in Brooklyn, NY, told The Produce News that prices spiked during the preceding couple of weeks due to shortages.