Some clarity has emerged with regard to the financial difficulties being experienced by several agricultural firms owned principally by Scott Salyer in the past week as a number of public documents have been filed in separate court cases.

Frank Jarocki Sr., owner and president of Modern Produce Farms in Florida, NY, died May 7 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Florida after a short illness. He was 78.

Mr. Jarocki was born to Joseph K. and Catherine Jarocki Nov. 18, 1930, in Big Island, NY. He was a lifelong resident of the village of Florida.

He was a very successful onion grower and shipper, having owned and operated Modern Produce Farms Inc. for over 60 years. His father was also a longtime farmer in the region.

WASHINGTON  Produce businesses will need to keep a close eye on Washington in the coming month as a powerful congressional committee is slated to take up food-safety legislation after Memorial Day and a high-level White House task force is looking at how best to improve government oversight.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, said that he plans to have a draft food-safety bill ready by mid- May and start holding hearings on food-safety legislation right after the Memorial Day recess.

Processing of H-2A visas for workers in Mexico resumed May 12 as Mexico eased restrictions in the wake of the H1N1 flu outbreak, but the disruption in seasonal workers may cause some businesses to rethink the cumbersome H- 2A program, said Frank Gasperini, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. "We've heard theres a week or two" of backlogged visas, Mr. Gasperini told The Produce News May 13. The U.S. embassies shut down when the Mexican government announced measures to limit large congregations to prevent the spread of the virus.

While some industry news sources reported the first week of May that Red Zoo Marketing, a producer and shipper of greenhouse vegetables, had already -- or had plans -- to file for bankruptcy, Jay Colasanti, president and co-owner of the Kingsville, ON-based firm, told The Produce News that filing for bankruptcy protection is not currently in the company's plans.

The California Department of Food & Agriculture's deputy secretary of legislation and policy, Rayne Pegg, has been appointed administrator of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Marketing Service. "Rayne has served the people of California admirably through her legislative work here at CDFA, including areas such as invasive pests, organic farming and food safety," CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura said in a press release.