Recent research shows that drinking 100-percent orange juice has a positive impact on children’s health and may make adults happier. The sweetness of orange juice has led to concern among some parents that it might contribute to obesity, but a new study makes it clear there is no such link, and in fact it likely improves children’s overall health.

Dear produce industry friends,

It’s tempting sometimes to take the strong brand appeal of the Idaho® potato for granted. Shoppers love our potatoes, they’re happy to pay extra for them, and many consider a russet potato and an Idaho potato one and the same. So why put a lot of effort into promoting a household staple that practically sells itself?

The 75th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission is a timely reminder that, as with show business careers, there are no overnight success stories in the produce business.

The Idaho Potato Commission in Eagle, ID, will mark its 75th anniversary in January 2012. A year-long celebration throughout the 2011-12 marketing season is under way, and if the season goes as well as it appears it might, the highlight of the celebration, the theme of which is "Big," could well be a record $1 billion in farm-gate revenues for the industry. That is not only big, it is huge.

It has been years since Florida citrus growers have had fruit as large as this season’s. As a bonus, Florida oranges, grapefruits and tangerines are exceptionally sweet and more cosmetically appealing than normal, and the overall crop size is larger as well.