Bob Wilkins, chief executive officer of GPOD of Idaho, has called it a day after some 35 years with the company. Mr. Wilkins left his daily duties at the end of 2007, but the partner in the fresh-pack shipper has a five-year agreement to serve as a consultant.

GPOD of Idaho packs and ships Russet Burbank variety potatoes.

Mr. Wilkins said he plans to spend more time with his wife, DeAnne, and his children and grandchildren, and to spend more time hunting, fishing and golfing.

California's leafy greens industry has made "huge strides" in the past year, and the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement's first status report bears that out, according to LGMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Horsfall.

The agreement's first status report comes just seven months since government inspectors began conducting mandatory food-safety audits for LGMA members. The report details all audit findings from July through December 2007 as well as other actions undertaken since this unprecedented food-safety program was established.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proposed a state budget that would cut spending by $500 million, reduce the workforce by about 3,000 people and close three departments, including the one that is most visible to the fresh produce industry: the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The governor, who outlined his proposals in a speech to the New Jersey Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 26, also proposed closing the state departments of Commerce and Personnel, as well as cutting expenses for services such as hospitals and colleges.

Produce industry veteran James (Jimmy) Burnette has joined the sales team at JC Tropicals in Homestead, FL, bringing 30 years of experience to the grower-shipper-wholesaler. Mr. Burnette, who officially came on board Feb. 22, will head the company's mango department.

ORLANDO, FL -- More people than ever before attended the Southeast Produce Council's fifth annual conference and expo, smashing the previous mark by perhaps 200 or more, according to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees.

The exact numbers are not complete, but "at least 800 people" and perhaps as many as 900 attended the conference, dubbed Southern Exposure 2008, which took place Feb. 21-23, here, according to Mr. Vorhees.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a lowered grade standard for fresh table grapes.

The proposal was announced Feb. 26 in the Federal Register as the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service sought changes requested by the Fresno- based California Grape & Tree Fruit League to revise the tolerances to include an allowance for shattered berries. This proposal is offered due to the change of pack style from mostly plain pack to consumer-size units.

There is a 30-day comment period on these changes, with comments on the changes due to AMS by March 27.