Last year, California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, introduced a new pack style for strawberries consisting of six two-pound clamshells in a container, rather than "the older configuration of four two-pounders per container," according to Cindy Jewell, marketing director.

"We are seeing a little more usage" of the new six-per-box style this year, she said, and not just from club stores. "Typically, you would expect the club stores to really buy into that," but in addition, "we are seeing some of the more mainstream retailers adding it to their mix as well."

Melissa’s/World Variety Produce Inc. in Los Angeles announced March 18 that it is recalling Serrano peppers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The affected Serrano peppers were isolated to 300 cases from Lot No. 69073901, product of Mexico.

(Bill Armstrong is a self-employed produce broker who operates Armstrong Marketing in Salinas, CA. His column appears here every Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. He may be reached by phone at 888/484-0800 or at [email protected])

WEATHER

Yuma, AZ: Daytime highs will remain in the mid-70s through March 27, then rise into the low 80s. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-50s through March 26, then rise into the upper 50s. There is no rain in the near-term forecast.

With the widespread and growing demand for sweet potatoes, states are working hard to pump up production to meet the U.S. and offshore appetite with both fresh-market and processing supplies.

(Updated story) Sunkist Growers Inc. in Sherman Oaks, CA, which has been a leading marketer of citrus for more than 117 years, will now be expanding into another fresh produce commodity. "This year, we will also be providing premium ‘Sunkist’-branded table grapes," Sunkist President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Hanlin said in a March 15 press release.

The 2010 California Hass avocado crop was the fourth largest on record, at around 530 million pounds. By contrast, the 2011 crop is estimated to be about half of last year's crop or a bit less, in the area of 250 million pounds, according to the California Avocado Commission.

Harvest had begun in a light way as of mid-March, but shippers did not expect to see significant volume until around mid-April, with most of the crop coming off between then and August.