It's a common misconception. Dates are often grouped together with such products as raisins and prunes as common examples of dried fruits. Raisins, of course, are dried grapes, and prunes are dried plums. To make that point clear -- and avoid the negative connotation some consumers have of associating prunes with a geriatric diet -- the California Dried Plum Board (as it is now called) now markets its products not as prunes but as dried plums.

San Antonio, TX-based Desert Glory Ltd. filed a lawsuit Sept. 20 in a federal court in Tucson, AZ, alleging that a competitor copied packaging it claims to be unique and distinctive.

The lawsuit claims trademark infringement and unfair competition by Ag-Mart Produce Inc., a Florida-based distributor of fruits and vegetables doing business as Santa Sweets Inc., with packing and distribution facilities in Nogales, AZ, and elsewhere.

Naples, FL-based Naturipe Farms LLC will have limited supplies of blueberries from Argentina in September, with volumes expected to surge around early November. Brian Bocock, vice president of sales for Naturipe, told The Produce News Aug. 30 that blueberry prices likely will be high through October. Peak blueberry volume from Argentina should be from mid-November through Thanksgiving, he said. "Argentina winds down hard in December and gets into January," Mr. Bocock said.

NAPLES, FL -- While food safety remained top of mind, Florida growers, shippers and distributors of fresh produce were equally concerned with how to best market their offerings during rocky economic times when they gathered Sept. 18-21 for the 67th annual Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association convention at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, here.

While food safety had a spot on the docket, Florida producers also focused on topics like enhanced selling techniques and using social media to improve business.

WASHINGTON -- The produce industry needs to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food campaign as the Obama administration continues to put fruits and vegetables "front and center" at the USDA, Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of agriculture, said Sept. 16 at a meeting of the United Fresh Produce Association, here.

WASHINGTON -- A day after the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference wrapped up, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the award of $55 million in specialty block grants, a 10 percent increase over last year.