As the fall weather approaches and the leaves change color, the staff at California Giant Berry Farms is seeing peak season berries change from red to blue in anticipation of a new blueberry season emerging in South America.

WASHINGTON — Officials from the the Food & Drug Administration asked the produce industry to support a government-led standardized research strategy for soil amendments and water quality, the results of which could be used to prove farms can take an alternative approach to meeting new produce-safety standards.

The Obama administration submitted three free trade agreements to Congress Oct. 3, and approvals for the agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama are expected to come quickly.

In submitting the proposals, President Obama issued a statement urging their passage as part of a plan to help improve the U.S. economy.

Dewayne Harrell

Boskovich Farms, grower-shipper-processor of fresh produce, announced Sept.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded 55 specialty crop block grants that will fund 740 initiatives across the United States and its territories, Kathleen Merrigan, deputy agriculture secretary, announced in an Oct. 5 conference call.

The total dollar amount of these grants is about $55 million, with California receiving the largest share at $18.6 million. Funds will be used by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Danaco Solutions has partnered with Chipolte and the Produce Marketing Association to offer special food-safety training for small growers.