WASHINGTON -- Food facilities will be picking up the tab to implement the new federal food-safety law as the Food & Drug Administration is hoping to raise $220 million by levying a fee on food facilities, according to the Obama administration's budget proposal to Congress Feb. 13.

The fiscal 2013 budget proposal, which Congress still needs to approve, requested $2.5 billion for the FDA, nearly identical to its current funding level.

Six years of research and development have paid off for produce marketer Pure Fresh with the first harvest and successful retailing of a new blackberry variety, Stella.

After eight months of negotiation that had been tempestuous at times, International Paper Co. of Memphis, TN, completed on Feb. 13 a $3.7 billion acquisition of its chief rival, Austin, TX-based corrugated packaging maker Temple-Inland Inc.

A Feb. 10 ruling by the U.S. Justice Department cleared the last obstacles to the merger. The two companies were among the largest producers of corrugated packaging in North America, with Temple-Inland’s annual revenue of $3.8 billion and International Paper’s annual revenue of $25 billion.

The Idaho Potato Commission this month is running its 21st annual Idaho Potato Lover’s Month retail display contest, with $150,000 in cash and prizes to winning entries.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation has named 21 supermarket retailers as Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Role Models and Champions for 2011 in recognition of their support for the national public health campaign and for PBH.

A total of 9 retailers achieved Role Model status (the top level of recognition) and 12 achieved Champion status.