Let the contest begin. The 2011 Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest is officially open.

Every February for 20 consecutive years, thousands of produce aisles around the country become the Mecca for Idaho potato lovers. Produce managers put their merchandising skills to the test in an attempt to create the top tater display during the Idaho Potato Commission’s Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest.

WASHINGTON — Food safety legislation, left for dead several times over the last year, passed the House of Representatives by a 215 to 144 vote Dec. 21, clearing the way for President Obama to sign it into law.

In a surprise move, Senate Democrats resuscitated the bill Dec. 19 by attaching it to HR 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle & Save Act, and passed it by unanimous consent. After a 40-minute debate, the House approved it.

VIENNA, VA -- The nation's apple harvest yielded an abundant, delicious crop of apples in 2010, and many retailers took that opportunity to display and feature them in their produce departments this fall.

NOGALES, AZ — Jorge (George) Gotsis Cevallos, owner and president of Omega Produce Co. Inc., here, was one of two first-year recipients of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' new Pillar of the Industry award presented at the FPAA’s 42nd Annual Produce Convention Nov. 6.

The other recognition went posthumously to Roy Lundstrom, who had spent much of his long produce career at GAC Produce

Mr. Gotsis first began to work for Omega, his sister’s distribution company, in 1951. In time, he became a partner, and in 1961 he began buying the remaining shares.

Sparta, MI-based Riveridge Produce Marketing's compliance with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program has been verified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, signifying Riveridge’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The firm has become an advocate of the MAEAP program (www.maeap.org) and is strongly encouraging its many partner farms to follow its lead.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association recently developed a U.S. regional retailer opinion market survey to assist the industry identify areas of opportunity and challenges for fresh market asparagus.

The study obtained direct opinion knowledge from retailers on a regional basis and interviewed over 70 retailers across the United States. Those interviewed were specifically from the front lines of buying fresh asparagus as well as merchandising.