MONTE VISTA, CO -- Heightened demand created by a nationwide shortage of potatoes has resulted in increased shipments for San Luis Valley shippers, according to figures provided by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee's Jan. 11 edition of Spud Facts.

Colorado sheds had seen 12,389 2010 crop loads shipped through December, compared to 11,955 loads during the same time in 2009. In fact, the 2010 number was the highest in at least five years.

SALINAS, CA -- Mann Packing Co. Inc. is collaborating with Litehouse Foods to promote the Chinese New Year.

Starting Feb. 1, 150,000 six-ounce trays of "Broccolini" will carry an in-pack offer. The inserted offer features three Asian-inspired recipes -- Kobe Beef Broccolini, Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir Fry, and Sesame Salmon with Sugar Snap Peas & Mango -- and a $1 off coupon toward any Litehouse dressing.

The ballot mail-in period for the quadrennial referenda on continuation of federal marketing orders for California peaches and nectarines began Jan. 12 and continues through Feb. 2.

"For the orders to continue, at least two-thirds of the growers voting in the referenda or growers representing at least two-thirds of the volume of nectarines, pears and peaches represented in the referenda must vote in favor of the order," according to a Dec. 13 press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service.

Results of a special survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida Field Office, conducted Jan. 10-11 and released Jan. 18, show that Florida citrus survived record-shattering cold through December and early January in remarkably good shape. Most damage to fruit and trees was minor, and the majority of Florida's groves escaped the bitter winter weather intact.

Chicago wholesaler Auster Acquisitions LLC, located on the Chicago International Produce Market, has apparently closed its doors in mid-January amid a number of lawsuits claiming non-payment for produce deliveries.

The firm did not return repeated telephone calls from The Produce News requesting comment.