WASHINGTON -- The Senate has yet to convene this year, but Congress is already busy introducing legislation to help fruit and vegetable businesses play a role in beating back the obesity epidemic.

Key among Philadelphia's reasons for building what is expected to be the world’s most modern produce market is working from a facility that is totally temperature controlled. The construction is behind schedule, and Mother Nature is the only force controlling temperatures around the old market. The original plan was for the new market to open in moderate weather last October.

Disease issues continue to plague Western lettuce shippers, but good weather has helped bring the California strawberry crop back to normal levels on a daily basis.

Looking forward, experts are predicting that the lettuce market will remain hot well into February, with many other leaf items following suit with better- than-average prices. But the strawberry market has dropped, and both volume and prices should be moving into promotional territories as February dawns.

Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for Giorgio Fresh Co., in Temple, PA, told The Produce News that the company offers organic whole and sliced white mushrooms, Baby Bella, whole and sliced Portabellas and Shiitake mushrooms in retail and bulk packs.

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame announced Jan. 17 its 2011 class of inductees. The ceremonies will take place March 4 as part of the annual Citrus Celebration Luncheon at the hall's permanent home at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL, to honor R. William (Bill) Becker, Edgar S. Beeland (deceased), Robert C. (Bob) Bullock, and Frank W. Savage (deceased).

LOS ANGELES -- Giumarra Southeast has announced a new addition to its team, John Reese (JR) Franklin, who has been hired as grower and customer relations representative for the division.

Mr. Franklin is a native of Georgia and served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005. He is a decorated veteran of both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.