Citing the destruction of infrastructure in Chile as a result of the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27, a coalition of Delaware River port operators has petitioned U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for a suspension of the April 10 date that regulates the importation of Chilean grapes by the United States. Members of the Desert Grape Growers League of California, however, are opposed to such a move.

It's a welcome change for California avocado growers and retailers alike. After two successive years of light California crops, the 2010 crop has a heavy set and is estimated at a volume two and a half to three times that of the 2009 crop.

The National Apple Month program announced the winners of the fall 2009 National Apple Month retail and military display contests. The annual contest, which jump-starts the domestic apple industry's marketing season, provided retailers and the apple industry with increased sales and gave consumers easy access to great-tasting, good-for-you apples and partner products of Marzetti Caramel Apple Dips, Smucker's natural peanut butter and JIF natural peanut butter.

TAMPA, FL - By any and all accounts, the Southeast Produce Council's 2010 Retail and Foodservice Conference & Expo, held here March 4-6, was a major success, drawing more people to the event than ever before.

"If I were to ballpark [overall attendance], it would be in the 1,300 range," SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees told The Produce News following the conclusion of the event, also known as Southern Exposure. Last year's conference and expo, also in Tampa, drew about 1,150.

Lillian Bozzuto, 95, of Middlebury, CT, and Fort Lauderdale, FL, died peacefully in her sleep March 3 in Florida. She was the widow of Adam J. Bozzuto, founder of the wholesale grocer Bozzuto's Inc. in Cheshire, CT.

Supply gaps in field-grown tomatoes resulting from freeze conditions in Florida have caused a spike in demand for greenhouse-grown product that is expected to last at least another 30 days.