After a decade of discussion and frustration, "It is in stone" that the new Philadelphia market will open April 3.

John Vena, the spokesman and a board member for the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, told The Produce News Feb. 10 that the move into the new market would begin March 1. The market operators will then have just over a month to set up their stores and prepare for business in their new venue before opening for business the first Sunday in April.

WASHINGTON -- Tom Stenzel, United Fresh Produce Association's president and chief executive officer, offered the support and congratulations of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry to Michelle Obama on the first anniversary of her groundbreaking Let's Move! initiative.

WASHINGTON -- The Endangered Species Act and the H-2A temporary agricultural guest worker program are two examples of government regulations that are stifling farmers, Tom Nassif, president and chief executive officer of Western Growers Association, said in remarks to be delivered at a Feb. 10 congressional hearing.

CHICAGO -- The United Fresh Produce Association Foundation and Chiquita Brands International Inc. will join forces with Chicago Public Schools to provide 10 salad bars as part of the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.

The Western Watermelon Association, which was formed just two years ago, held its annual convention Jan. 15 this year at the Treasure Island Resort in Las Vegas.

"I felt we had a great turnout from the industry," said Brent Harrison, president of Al Harrison Co. in Nogales, AZ, and vice president of the association. He estimated that more than 150 people attended.

A combination of factors -- some but not all of them weather related -- have caused the 2011 strawberry season in California to get off to a slow start. Shipments to date from the Oxnard district as of Saturday, Jan.