As of Tuesday, Dec. 2, the California Department of Food & Agriculture had established a 107-square-mile quarantine zone in the El Cajon area of San Diego County following the detection of a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 3, 18 wild adult Medflies had been detected at 12 sites in the area, and Medfly larvae had been detected at two sites. In addition to the challenge of combating the Medfly population, San Diego County also is battling Asian citrus psyllid and Diaprepes root weevils that pose a serious threat to agriculture.

DELANO, CA -- Paramount Citrus will soon add to its 30,000 acres of citrus with the purchase of 1,000 acres the company plans to use for the expansion of its clementine production and growth of the "Cuties" brand of California clementines.

The acquisition from members of the George family of land in eastern Fresno, CA, supports Paramount Citrus' long-term strategy of ensuring that the company meets customer demand, according to Paramount Citrus President David Krause.

Family-owned fresh produce distributor Capital City Fruit Co. in Des Moines, IA, has completed the transition of company leadership to the third generation of the Comito family, just in time to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2009.

In concert with the Texas Produce Association, Western Growers Assurance Trust will be offering health insurance plans developed for companies in Texas beginning Jan. 1.

WGAT, which is a non-profit entity, has been providing health plans designed to meet the needs of agricultural customers since 1957. Previously, it had operated in California and Arizona providing services for Western Growers Association members in those two states.

Driscoll Strawberry Associates has entered into an agreement to increase its investment and shareholdings in Driscoll's of Chile. According to the firm, this increased investment will make Driscoll's of Chile stronger and aligns it more closely with the overall Driscoll's organization.

On Dec. 3, Mark Bassetti, vice president of customer development for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, headquartered in Oviedo, FL, told The Produce News that reports stating that A. Duda & Sons (the parent company) has sold 2,000 acres of citrus groves in the state's Indian River region to Premier Citrus Packers in Vero Beach, FL, are true. But he added that A. Duda & Sons has no plans to reduce its involvement in citrus fruits, including citrus from Florida.