NAPLES, FL  Celebrating its golden anniversary, the Florida Tomato Committee unveiled a series of four commercials that will mark the organization's first national television brand campaign for fresh Florida tomatoes during the 30th annual Joint Florida Tomato Conference held Sept. 6-11, here, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

WASHINGTON  Money is always tight for specialty crops, but attendees of United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference, here, heard news that the budget for agriculture got even tighter as Congress responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

More than 275 members of the produce industry representing more than 30 states signed up for the Sept. 13-16 conference, which provided an opportunity to hear from elected leaders and lobby congressional staff on hot-button issues.

The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Sept. 13 that no further action would be taken against Ralph's Grocery Co. for violations involving the grocery chains alleged false advertising of Mexican-grown grapes as Californian-grown grapes.

When launching its new line of premium chicken sandwiches in early August, fast-food restaurant giant McDonald's Corp. made sure that consumers will be getting high-quality produce in every bite.

The new sandwich line, which includes the Classic, Ranch BLT and Club, all contain tomatoes and green leaf lettuce, which the company has promoted in recent press releases.

National Apple Month has kicked off its 2005 Retail Display Contest with a new national focus that should help supermarkets across the country boost apple sales and keep apples top of mind for consumers throughout the year.

This year's contest began Sept. 1 and will run through November, according to NAM Director Kay Rentzel. It is open to all retailers in the United States as well as all military commissaries in this country and abroad.

Baby Fresh of Guatemala is enjoying robust sales through a direct deal in shipping prepackaged baby vegetables to the Central Market chain, which is owned by H.E. Butt Grocery Co., headquartered in San Antonio, TX.

Baby Fresh owner Antonio Maldonado told The Produce News Sept. 7 that his sales are strong in the upscale six-store Texas chain, which has locations in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Plano and Dallas.