Oceanside, CA-based Harry Singh & Sons, one of the larger growers of California vine-ripe tomatoes, officially announced Wednesday, April 13, that effective immediately it was ceasing its operations and would not be open for business or produce a crop for the 2011 season. Concurrently, Bill Wilber, president of Oceanside Pole Tomato Sales, which exclusively handled the sales for the grower that was its only supplier, announced that his firm was also closing its operations.

WASHINGTON -- The fresh produce industry will be giving back to the local community in an unprecedented way when the United Fresh Produce Association hosts it 107th annual convention May 2-4 in New Orleans.

Bad weather in Texas and Mexico over the winter caused problems for some crops, but onions, melons and most tropicals survived the atypical freezes that plunged deep into Mexico in February.

WASHINGTON -- (Updated) --The U.S. Department of Agriculture responded to the produce industry Tuesday, April 12, with a final rule clarifying that the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act's post-default agreements do not mean that a company waives or forfeits its rights to the PACA Trust.

The California Blueberry Commission officially marked its first anniversary April 1 as a managing organization. Executive Director Alexander Ott said that the year has been a busy one in terms of both strategic planning and program implementation. "Things seem to be coming together smoothly," he told The Produce News April 4.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture will issue a final rule April 12 on revising the Perishable Agricultural Commodity Act regulators regarding post-default agreements for payments, according to a press release from the United Fresh Produce Association. The rule will take effect Wednesday, April 13.