BOSTON -- The theme of "Hollywood Days/Hollywood Nights" was quite appropriate for this year's New England Produce Council Produce & Floral Expo, April 25 here at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, as it was the produce industry that took center stage at the annual event.

Members of the California Pear Advisory Board received word in mid-April that the state's pear growers had overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the California pear-marketing program to all pear varieties produced in the state with the exception of Asian pears.

Against the backdrop of pressure from home development, high labor costs and a problematic sustained labor pool, Coachella Valley's table grape acreage maxed out some years back.

And there's no reason to suspect the situation will reverse itself.

Robert Bianco of Coachella, CA-based Anthony Vineyards said that table grape acreage in the Coachella Valley won't climb because people "can't buy land for agriculture" since it's too expensive.

Attendees at this year's All Things Organic convention and trade show will have an opportunity to gain insights into the dynamically growing organic field and find out how to stay on top of their game.

These special events and seminars, arranged by the Organic Trade Association, focus on a multitude of important topics for OTA members and non-members alike.

A grassroots measure begun three years ago as a junior high civics class project has been endorsed by both houses of the Washington state Legislature and only awaited the signature of Gov. Christine Gregoire to make it official as of April 6.

The Walla Walla sweet onion will be, barring an unexpected veto by Gov. Gregoire, the Washington state vegetable. Legislation passed the state House on Feb. 13 and the Senate on April 5.

According to Kathy Fry, director of marketing for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, the designation is appropriate.

Novazone, a leading provider of clean technology solutions for food and water including advanced ozone-based applications, has launched PurFresh, a solution for reducing decay, controlling over-ripening and enhancing food safety for fresh produce during transit.