WASHINGTON -- The day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the farm bill, the Senate approved the nearly $300 billion bill by a 81- 15 vote, ensuring a veto-proof majority and securing a new voice for fruit and vegetable programs on Capitol Hill.

"This bill provides more funding for fruit and vegetable industry programs and priorities than any other farm bill in history, attention that is well deserved and has been long awaited and signals that the times are changing," said Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann.

IRVINE, CA -- The California Avocado Commission board of directors accepted Mark Affleck's resignation May 15, effective immediately. Mr. Affleck has served as president and chief executive officer of the commission for the past 20 years and is leaving to pursue other interests.

"For the past two decades, Mark's visionary leadership has been instrumental in generating increased consumer demand for avocados. The avocado industry has benefited greatly from Mark's strategic approach to marketing," the commission's Rick Shade said in a May 16 statement.

Maria E. Allred, a longtime member of the staff at Golden Rule Produce, died April 18 in Alamo, TX. She was 53.

Born in Mexico, Ms. Allred was formerly of Alamo and had lived in Edinburg, TX, for 24 years. She was employed by Golden Rule in McAllen, TX, for 24 years, most recently as the produce sales company's office manager. Her husband, Ronald Dean Allred, is a buyer and sales representative for Golden Rule.

WASHINGTON -- The House of representatives overwhelmingly approved the long-awaited farm bill conference report with $3 billion in specialty crop program priorities and a veto-proof majority.

The nearly $300 billion bill passed the House 318-106 -- a large enough majority to override a veto promised by President Bush, who criticized the bill as too pricey and for falling short of needed farm-subsidy reforms.

Longtime California fruit grower and shipper Dominic F. (Doc) Danna of D.F. Danna & Co. Inc. in San Jose, CA, died May 1 after a six-month illness. He was 97.

Born the second of six sons, Mr. Danna spent his entire life working with his brothers growing fruit, vegetables and nuts in Santa Clara, Sutter and Yuba counties in California under the company names of Danna & Danna Inc. and D.F. Danna & Co.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods says it is committed to delivering quality, innovation and service to its customers, which is why the 82-year-old, family-owned, nationwide fresh fruit and vegetable company uses consumer research to guide its development of new varieties and innovations in packaging and merchandising.

Research shows that consumers are looking for convenience in their shopping trips. Merchandising can help provide that convenience by locating celery products adjacent to one another.