Leaf lettuce continued its dominant grip in Monterey County for the fourth straight year as shown in the Monterey County Crop Report 2005, which was released June 6.

The crop report -- compiled by the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's office -- put the county's production value at nearly $3.3 billion for 2005, the fourth time the county has exceed $3 billion in gross production value. That value was an 11 percent climb over 2004 -- which was 3 percent greater than 2003 -- with more than 40 crops exceeding $1 million in production value.

MARGATE, NJ -- Many supermarket executives say that fresh produce is the key part of the store. One prime example of that is found at Casel's Supermarket, which recently enlarged and remodeled its produce department to better showcase fresh fruits and vegetables -- and just in time to feature all the products from its home state of New Jersey.

Shoppers find the enhanced produce department, complete with a colorful floral area, immediately to their right as they enter the store. Larger and wider aisles make for easy shopping.

Bobby Locke wasn't through writing and singing about fruit when he recorded "Rambutan" more than two years ago. With his recent recording of "The Mango Selling Song," Mr. Locke has leapt to the center stage of fruit songs.

To be sure, it's not a crowded stage. Still, if Mr. Locke's lively Calypso-style tune about mangos catches hold, he may be able to ditch his tropical fruit sales gig at Tavilla Sales Co. of Los Angeles. This could be his big break, a la Bobby McFerrin and "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

One does not have to look further than Oviedo, FL, to find a perfect example of a successful multi-generational family in both its business and family relations. That is where the "seeds" for A. Duda & Sons were planted in 1909 when Andrew Duda immigrated from the then-Austro-Hungarian Empire, and where the headquarters of the now multi-faceted organization are today.

CASTROVILLE, CA -- Ocean Mist Farms has announced that George Boutonnet died June 6 at his Salinas, CA, home at the age of 89.

In 1939, Mr. Boutonnet started his farming legacy by growing potatoes and rhubarb in Marina, CA. Over the years, he built Boutonnet Farms by growing artichokes, cauliflower, lettuces, broccoli and other mixed vegetables. His son, Ed Boutonnet, joined the family business in 1966. In 1982 Boutonnet Farms became a major shareholder in what is now Ocean Mist Farms.

Colorful Harvest recently was invited to the Chefs of America Gold Medal Masters of Taste awards in Chicago. This was a one-day meeting and selected product tasting for the top corporate chefs in the country. The event and awards dinner were conducted prior to the National Restaurant Association Conference.