ICEBERG LETTUCE

The Iceberg lettuce transition from Salinas, CA, to Huron, CA, is not seamless and the market is quickly gaining momentum. Quality of the last fields in the Salinas Valley is suspect due to the Oct. 4-5 rain followed by several days of warm temperatures.

Unsanitary conditions at Jensen Farms in Holly, CO, have been cited as the probable cause of the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened more than 125 people and resulted in at least 25 deaths.

As a result of the outbreak, which was traced back to Jensen Farms in early September and which led to a recall of the firm’s cantaloupes, a multi-agency environmental review of the farm’s growing, packing and cooling facilities was conducted Sept. 22-23.

DAVIS, CA -- Four private companies and two commodity groups chose Fresh Summit to announce their pledges to the Center for Produce Safety Campaign for Research. This funding will support CPS's competitive research grant programs, according to an Oct. 19 press release. Taylor Farms helped jumpstart the CPS research program in 2008 with a $2 million contribution. Taylor Farms will contribute an additional $250,000 to support CPS research, joined by Driscoll's, Markon Cooperative and Tanimura & Antle, each pledging $100,000.

WASHINGTON -- The potato industry hailed the Senate Oct. 18 for voting to bar the U.S. Department of Agriculture from limiting starchy vegetable servings in school lunches.

An amendment sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) would overturn the USDA’s decision to limit servings of starchy vegetables, such as white potatoes, green peas, lima beans and corn, to one cup per week in the National School Lunch Program.