George Wooten, president of Wayne E. Bailey Produce Co. in Chadbourn, NC, is known to say, “Sweet potatoes have been around since the dawn of man, and Wayne E. Bailey has been in existence since 1935.”

The company’s success in its comparatively short history is owed to a bit of being in the right place at the right time and the forward-thinking leadership of several generations.

Today, the family-run operation is recognized as a leading sweet potato producer, processor and shipper to customers in the United States and abroad.

New ideas pop up all around us, especially in the way we do business. Some start out unexpectedly and become trendy. These affect business habits and eventually revolutionize an industry.

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced Jan. 31 the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government's evidence- based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.

CF Fresh is eagerly awaiting the first arrival of imported fresh organic garlic from Argentina, with the first shipment expected to arrive at the end of January.

The white garlic is well cured and has excellent size, with heads ranging from 56 to 75 millimeters. It is certified organic and packed in 22-pound plastic crates.

Argentine garlic is known for excellent flavor and quality, and this season's bumper crop is holding true to its reputation.

WASHINGTON — Produce was the second-leading cause of Salmonella reports during the first year of the Reportable Food Registry, the Food & Drug Administration said Jan. 21.

The agency released the first-ever report of the electronic portal that industry and health officials use to report serious food-safety incidents to the FDA. Congress directed the agency to establish the reporting mechanism as an early-warning system for problems in the food and feed supply chain.

PHILADELPHIA — Creating a boutique fruit import company involving a variety of unusual offerings requires a staff that is galvanized by diverse experience. That is the backbone for the creation of Marathon Fruit Distributors LLC, based here, according to David Skea, the firm's chief financial officer.

Mr. Skea told The Produce News that a team for a start-up must be multi- talented to bring a company quickly up to speed without enduring the expense of a large staff.