After several weeks of incredibly hot markets on lettuce and many other vegetable items, good production beginning in mid-March sent the f.o.b. prices spiraling down on a number of different crops. In fact, Iceberg lettuce dropped by close to $20 a carton almost overnight.

However, it began raining in parts of California on March 19 and was expected to continue raining into the following weekend.

(Updated Story) WASHINGTON -- Melissa’s/World Variety Produce Inc. said the Salmonella that government inspectors detected in its Serrano peppers is likely an isolated incident, but just in case the company is not selling Serrano peppers from that growing region until federal and state officials conclude their investigation.

The Food & Drug Administration asked the Los Angeles-based firm to conduct a recall after the U.S. Department of Agriculture detected Salmonella on one or two Serrano peppers March 17 as part of its Microbiological Data Program.

PLEASANTON, CA — At a recent food-safety seminar hosted here by the Produce Marketing Association, Bob Whitaker, PMA's chief science officer, stressed the importance of companies involving their sales staffs in food safety efforts.

Dr. Whitaker said that while salespeople are understandably focused on making sales, they also need to be aware of food-safety issues.

Campbell Farms, a potato grower-packer-shipper based in Grafton, ND, purchased Ryan Potato Co., located in nearby E. Grand Forks, MN, on March 16, according to Tom Campbell, a partner in Campbell Farms.

Mr. Campbell told The Produce News March 23 that all the assets of Ryan Potato were purchased from the R.D. Offutt Co., which is located in Fargo, ND.

While summer may still be months away, North Americans can enjoy a taste of its sweetness much earlier.

Chilean Summerkiwi, a naturally early-harvested, deep-green kiwifruit, became available the third week in March from The Oppenheimer Group.

Galaxy Nutritional Foods, a leading producer of cheese alternatives, debuted a new line of non-dairy vegan cream cheeses at the Natural Products Expo West, held March 11-13 in Los Angeles.

The line is available in Classic Plain and Chive & Garlic under the "Galaxy Nutritional Foods Veggie" and