WASHINGTON — Legislation to revamp the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's food-safety programs and to improve school lunches are just two issues Congress will be debating when it returns Nov. 15 after mid-term elections.

But these bills — top-shelf issues for the produce industry — will have to compete with more than a dozen other legislative priorities for floor time during what could be a polarized lame-duck session that may follow a power-shift to a Republican-controlled Congress.

As Bland Farms LLC in Glennville, GA, prepared for the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit convention, the company was coming off one of its finer Vidalia, GA, onion seasons ever and was well into its fall program featuring Peruvian sweet onions, "Empire Sweets" from New York state and sweet onions from Utah.

For the month of October, California Giant Berry Farms is reminding shoppers that the company cares about the causes that affect their daily lives.

As a proud sponsor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the company will make a $10,000 contribution to the National Breast Cancer Foundation based on consumer purchases of California Giant strawberries during the month of October.

Fairgoers at this year's Central Washington State Fair in Yakima were treated to a "flash mob dance" by Pink Lady America, according to Alan Taylor, marketing director for the apple organization.

Headquartered in Yakima, WA, Pink Lady America is the North American member of the International Pink Lady Alliance that grows and markets the trademarked Pink Lady brand of the Cripps Pink apple variety.

Sun-Rype Products Ltd., a Canadian producer of nutritious fruit snacks, acquired Yakima Juice LLC on Sept. 30. Yakima Juice has been a co-packer of Sun-Rype products for approximately three years.

"A plant located in the Pacific Northwest greatly improves our access to an abundant fruit supply and broadens the products and pack types we can bring to our consumers," Sun-Rype officials said in a statement.

The National Mango Board will host its annual networking and outreach event for the mango industry in association with the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas during the upcoming Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit in Orlando, FL. The event will take place Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

The mango industry reception will include a presentation with highlights of the board’s programs, including several key measures of progress since the board started in 2006.