Andrew J. Pandol, crew supervisor at family-owned Pandol Bros. Inc. in Delano, CA, has a deep dedication to farm and family that is clearly evident.

As the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement begins its third year of operation, it is making a major push to help the produce-buying trade better understand its programs.

More important, the agreement is working to demonstrate that mandatory government inspections required by all members are the only truly independent farm audit a produce buyer needs.

Last year's West Side melon deal in California came in at 20.5 million 40- pound cartons. Jerry Munson, manager of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, said that the board anticipates a comparable year in 2009.

The 2008 final tally of 20.5 million 40-pound cartons was considerably higher than the projected 20 million 40-pound cartons and slightly higher than 21.4 million cartons generated in the West Side deal in 2007. How long the season goes past mid-September determines the final total, Mr. Munson said.

Lack of water and an off-market last year combined to produce what is expected to be a bit less California onion acreage this year, but there has not been enough of a decrease to significantly alter the market, according to grower-shippers.

"We've been up and running since June 1," said Mike Smythe, who is in charge of sales for the Telesis Onion Co. Inc. in Five Points, CA. "The quality looks good, the size looks good, but acreage is down a little bit. Other than that, everything is status quo."

With the 2009 tomato season from California's Central Valley just getting underway, the multi-million-dollar question is how many tomatoes will be produced this year.

"We'd love to know what is going on in the Central Valley," said Mark Munger, vice president of marketing for Andrew & Williamson in San Diego. "You want to know about the size of the crop?" asked Jeff Dolan of the DiMare Co. in Newman, CA. "So do I."

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ -- Richard Leibowitz is looking to reinvent the specialty potato market.

Mr. Leibowitz, managing director of the newly formed Specialty Potato Alliance, told The Produce News during an interview at his office, here in north-central New Jersey that the organization is comprised of North America's premier growers and distributors of specialty potatoes, and its initial focus will be on fingerling potato varieties from heirloom and new varietal stock.