Washington asparagus growers that previously packed with Seneca will have a new home at Gourmet Trading Co.'s new packing facility in Pasco, WA.

The volume of California-grown strawberries may well exceed last year's total, but that is owed to a greater number of acres planted, industry experts say. As of Aug. 4, it appeared that yields for the year would be down compared to last year.

The Southern California season got off in fits and starts for many growers, with rain delaying plantings. Once a company falls behind enough, it can never really catch up in the affected region, said Cindy Jewell, director of marketing for Watsonville, CA-based California Giant.

HARTFORD, CT -- The Connecticut Regional Produce Market will look different in a few months from the way it looks today, and could look vastly different just a few years down the road if all plans come to fruition, according to Robert Pellegrino, executive director of the market.

Starting this fall, the entire facility, known commonly as the Hartford market, will be re-painted for the first time in at least 10 years, Mr. Pellegrino told The Produce News as August began.

WASHINGTON  While some fruit and vegetable growers are trying to find a way out of the mandatory country-of-origin labeling program, Hawaiian macadamia nut growers say they want in.

"Hawaii produces the highest-quality macadamia nuts in the world, and we're known worldwide as the pioneer in developing a national and international market for macadamias," said Rep. Ed Case (D-HI).

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association will be losing two key employees later this month as Marie-Claude Thibault, the director of health and food safety, and Samy Pelerin, manager of government relations, announced that they will be leaving the association.

"We regret that Marie-Claude and Samy are leaving, as they have both done a wonderful job not just for the CPMA but for the industry as a whole," said CPMA President Dan Dempster. "We hate to lose people like them.