BONITA SPRINGS, FL -- Philosophers have long pondered, "If a tree falls in the forest, and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?" What Florida citrus growers want to know is, "If an advertising campaign is created and executed, but no one sees it, does it have an impact?"

In late 2007, the Florida Citrus Commission announced that TV star Tom Selleck of "Magnum, P.I." fame had agreed to lend his voice to the industry's advertising campaign, with the theme, "Florida orange juice -- healthy, pure and simple."

More than $10,000 was raised for local charities earlier in June through a golf tournament featuring the Philadelphia produce industry.

The Philadelphia chapter of the United Fresh Produce Association held the ninth annual Louis Penza Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament June 11 at the Medford Village Country Club. Participating Philadelphia Regional Produce Market operators, suppliers and guests numbered 92, creating 23 foursomes.

After a long search, Atlanta-based General Produce Inc. has opened its new cross-dock facility in Thomasville, GA, enabling the company to extend its overnight reach throughout the Southeast.

The new facility replaces an outdated cross-dock in Cairo, GA, and "will allow the company to grow our business in Florida, Alabama and south Georgia," Andrew Scott, sales and procurement manager for General Produce, told The Produce News.

"If you put it all together, we can reach 11 states overnight and the Caribbean," added George Wiley, the firm's retail sales manager.

In Cape Town, South Africa, a Seatrade refrigerated breakbulk vessel bearing the season's first South African citrus bound for the United States was loaded May 25 and is due to dock June 24 in the port of Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON -- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines should recommend that Americans shift their food intake patterns to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, according to a new report delivered June 15 to top Obama administration officials. Every five years, the federal government names an advisory panel to scrutinize the latest science and make nutritional recommendations to the U.S.

Southern Specialties, a distributor of specialty produce items located in Pompano Beach, FL, is expanding its headquarters facility in support of the growth of its value-added line.

Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for the company, told The Produce News June 11 that the firm has signed an agreement to acquire additional warehouse space at its headquarters and distribution facility.