ORLANDO, FL -- Two-dozen heavy-hitters representing all facets of the produce industry gathered April 7 in a conference room at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, here, to tap into the knowledge base of Gary Fleming, a leading authority on produce traceability.

After several years of California blueberry producers and handlers moving toward creating a blueberry commission, the California Blueberry Commission has become a reality.

A referendum vote was passed by blueberry producers and handlers in February. Nominations were put out in February and board elections were held in March.

The commission held its first official meeting March 25.

Official estimates for the 2010 spring grape crop from the state of Sonora, Mexico, were not due to be released until April 16, but as of late March there was general agreement among most importers of Mexican grapes with whom The Produce News talked that the crop would be neither exceptionally small nor exceptionally large.

WALLA WALLA, WA -- For the second consecutive year, artist Diana Schmidt has taken the top award for her Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival poster designs at the Washington Festivals & Events Association conference.

The conference, held March 7-9 at Seaside, OR, saw Ms. Schmidt win for the 2009 poster heralding the 25th annual festival.

The colorful poster, depicting a vintage pickup loaded with enormous Walla Walla Sweets, was the second in what Kathy Fry, director of marketing for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, referred to as the "truck series."

Alan Schreiber, administrator of the Washington Asparagus Commission, is projecting increased asparagus tonnage for the 2010 season. "We are cautiously optimistic," he told The Produce News March 31. "We will have an early season."

The 2009 production season was marked by prolonged periods of cold, resulting in a shortened season.

A creative pear and scallop appetizer took top prize March 31 at the second annual USA Pears Culinary Student Recipe competition, which is open to U.S. culinary students nationwide.