WASHINGTON -- Fruit and vegetable growers demanded more attention in the next farm bill and an urgent fix to the broken guest worker program at two congressional hearings earlier this month.

"I feel that specialty crops were basically left out in the cold in the previous bill," David Godwin, a North Carolina sweet potato and fruit producer, said at a Feb. 6 hearing in North Carolina. "Specialty crops account for approximately one-half of the total farmgate value in this country; however, only a very small portion of the federal resources was allocated to our needs."

Super Bowl Sunday was not only a winning day for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That morning, OSO Sweet onions starred in a nationally televised appearance on the popular Fox Network program "Fox & Friends."

OSO Sweet teamed with renowned Junior's Cheesecake of New York to make an on-air appearance in support of the Ronald McDonald Houses charity across America. Each house provides a supportive place to stay for parents while their children are receiving medical treatment.

Del Monte Fresh Produce Inc. will plant its last pineapple plant in Hawaii on Feb. 19, beginning its exit from the pineapple production in the state, which will come about 18 months later when that plant is ready for harvest. Del Monte has been growing pineapples in Hawaii since 1916.

The Oppenheimer Group announced a number of executive changes that will position the Vancouver, BC-based company for the future.

WASHINGTON -- Fruit and vegetable businesses will not be alone in protesting the Bush administration's proposal to cut in half funding for the popular Market Access Program next year.

More than 90 groups that comprise the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports have been pushing Congress to maintain $200 million for MAP, the program designed to help expand sales of U.S. agricultural, fish and forest products overseas. Now the fiscal 2007 budget proposal would cut the program to $100 million.

They say you never forget your first, and for me, Fruit Logistica 2006 will occupy a special place in my memory with the other "firsts" in my life.

When I joined The Produce News in February 1995 as an assistant editor, I had been with the publication for about eight months when I attended my first Produce Marketing Association convention.