An informal survey of mango importers showed support for the assessment increase for the National Mango Board.

While none of the half-dozen people interviewed expressed strong reservations about the assessment increase, a couple of importers said that the rationale behind the increase needs to be explained a bit better to the grower community.

WASHINGTON -- First lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin unveiled the new MyPlate icon and vowed to kick off the health message starting with a "Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables" campaign.

Ms. Obama, speaking at the morning press conference June 2, said that the plate icon with different color-

Peruvian citrus exporters anticipate hitting record volume levels in 2011.

Sergio del Castillo, chief executive officer of Peru’s citrus trade group, ProCitrus, told The Produce News May 27 that Peru expects to export 70,000 metric tons of fresh citrus this year.

WEATHER

Salinas, CA: Daytime highs will remain in the low 60s through June 5, then bump into the mid-60s June 6-7. Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s to low 50s. There was a 20 percent chance of rain June 1, and rain showers are likely June 3-5.

Fresno, CA: Daytime temperatures will remain unseasonably cold through June 7 with highs in the low to mid-70s and overnight lows in the upper 40s to mid-50s. Historically, daytime highs in early June are in the 90s. There is a 20 percent chance of rain June 3 and a 40 percent chance June 4.

Chiquita Brands International has signed a multi-year agreement with Disney to offer its products at Disney parks, resorts and cruise line in Florida, Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer of Chiquita, announced at a May 26 meeting.

The company has yet to disclose any details, but Mr. Aguirre referred to the deal in remarks at the 2011 annual stakeholder’s meeting.

(UPDATED) WASHINGTON -- Produce companies were anxiously awaiting the Obama administration’s June 2 rollout of a new nutrition tool that will replace the much-criticized MyPyramid image as the government’s primary food group symbol.

The administration was planning to abandon the Food Pyramid in favor of a dinner plate to educate consumers on the latest update of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.