The Southeast Produce Council has a full program to offer the record crowd expected for its fourth annual conference and expo Feb. 22-24 in Tampa, FL.

As the March 19 national rollout date nears, the Produce for Better Health Foundation is putting the finishing touches on its new "More Matters" campaign.

WASHINGTON -- The Food & Drug Administration has the authority to regulate the produce industry, but it needs sufficient funds, staffing and research dollars to do the job, Tom Stenzel, president of United Fresh Produce Association, said at a Feb. 8 hearing on Capitol Hill.

At the first of a series of food-safety hearings planned in the powerful House Appropriations subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) explored whether the current system needs to be overhauled to prevent future recalls and outbreaks.

As of Feb. 1, Mexican-grown Hass avocados that have met the required U.S. Department of Agriculture protocols may be shipped to California, Florida and Hawaii for the first time in some 80 years.

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is asking for a $10.6-million increase for food safety regulators to better investigate outbreaks related to fresh produce in next year's budget, including an initiative to place U.S. Food & Drug Administration and state inspectors in produce-growing areas.

Ruby Tuesday, a 900-unit casual-dining restaurant chain based in Maryville, TN, has made a commitment to use more fresh avocados on its menu. The chain has added several avocado items to its menu and is testing others.

Ruby Tuesday is scheduled to open its first California store near the Ontario airport in April or May.

During a California Avocado Commission board of directors meeting in January, two Ruby Tuesday executives joined the commission members in their high-tech Irvine, CA, conference room via live video conference from Tennessee.