Pandol Bros. Inc. in Delano, CA, expects to begin harvesting its first grapes from the San Joaquin Valley out of the Arvin district early the week of July 2, according to Louis Pandol, an officer in the company. That is considerably earlier than last year, when “we started on the 15th.”

Although earlier, in fact, than the last two years, this year’s start date, “the way I would characterize it, is more like a normal start,” he said.

On March 27, Piazza Produce Inc. was named the winner of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s 2012 Sustainability Award in the category of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with its project entitled, Piazza Zero Waste. Four other projects submitted by other applicants were also awarded in the categories of air, land, water and energy.

“Each of our five winners was chosen for inspiring innovation, showcasing a positive community impact, demonstrating leadership and promoting education around the principles of sustainability,” Mayor Ballard said in an earlier statement.

JACK MOYER has joined McAllen, TX-based Loop Fresh Produce LP and Loop Cold Storage as director of operations.

WASHINGTON — A government study on tapping crop insurance to cover recall when a specialty produce crop is not responsible for the recall is just one of a few dozen amendments voted on during the last 24-hours as the Senate rushes to pass the 2012 farm bill.

The U.S. Senate may end up voting for final passage of the farm bill as early as late Wednesday, but not before pulling the lever on 73 amendments — a far cry from the 300 amendments filed earlier this week.

WASHINGTON — Consumers who reach for citrus may see codes etched directly on the fruit in the near future as the Food & Drug Administration approved for the first time the use of the new technology.

Sunkist Growers Inc. was one of the companies that petitioned the FDA last year to use the new technology, a carbon dioxide laser, for etching information on the skin of fresh, intact citrus fruit.

BrightFarms Inc. and The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc. announced an exclusive partnership June 19 to deliver the freshest local produce to A&P's family of stores.

A&P has signed the grocery industry's third long-term produce purchase agreement, becoming the only retailer of BrightFarms' Brooklyn-grown produce from the world's largest rooftop farm.