BONITA SPRINGS, FL — Amid ongoing legislative and disease battles, citrus is still a major player in Florida’s economy and is well positioned to become an even bigger factor in the future. That was the message some 650 growers, shippers and industry affiliates took away from the annual Florida Citrus Conference, held here June 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort.

Specialty berries conjure up thoughts of gourmet presentations by the world's greatest chefs and of discriminating home cooks. HBF International, formerly Hurst's Berry Farm, in Sheridan, OR, has an extensive lineup of berries for every desire.

Curry & Co., based in Brooks, OR, has expanded its sales team with the addition of ANTHONY HARMON, who will work on the company's full product line of onions, sweet onions, blueberries, potatoes and Vidalia sweet carrots. He will initially be based in the company's Birmingham, AL, office.

Truck broker Jeff Jerue makes no bones about it. Truck rates are high and they are headed higher.

McCALL, ID — In addition to seating the 2011-12 board of directors and officers at its 49th annual convention, held here June 9-11, the Idaho-Oregon Fruit & Vegetable Association heard industry updates from keynote speakers, Idaho state Sen. Tim Corder (R) and Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Produce Association.

WASHINGTON — Four cantaloupe shipments from Honduras were among the 17 recalls a new government study said shows that the Food & Drug Administration’s recall guidelines are not adequate to police imports.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services auditors looked at food recalls from 2007 and 2008 and checked to see if companies followed the FDA recall guidelines and if the administration followed through with audit checks.