We have the product, now we need to protect it.

We are at a crossroads in the produce industry and we must act now if we are to ensure the stability and profitability of our industry. In light of tough economic times, it is more important than ever to consider technologies with the potential to affect our bottom lines.

Dole and Del Monte faced huge fines from the European Union while Fyffes plc in Dublin, Ireland, announced Oct. 15 that "it has not been found to have breached EU competition rules and no fine has been imposed on it."

Fyffes said that this followed an Oct. 15 European Commission announcement that it had concluded its investigation into the supply of bananas to the northern European region of the European Economic Area.

Attendees of the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit will have the opportunity to ascertain exactly how well they lead by attending Harold Lloyd's seminar, "Am I the Leader I Need to Be?" He has developed a system that individuals can use to determine their "leadership quotient," which quantifies their leadership skill and highlights their specific strengths and weaknesses with the goal of helping them to improve immediately.

Mr. Lloyd, a celebrated speaker and a regular guest lecturer at Fresh Summit, will deliver his presentation at 9:35 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Colorama, a Chilean graphics company, has developed more reliable labels for the fresh produce industry to assist North American companies with the need to implement new country-of-origin labeling requirements.

CASTROVILLE, CA -- Ocean Mist Farms is keeping it fresh at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit in Orlando, FL.

In addition to its acclaimed artichoke recipes and display of more than 30 fresh premium vegetable commodities, the company will showcase a newly developed PLU sticker -- the first of its kind for bulk artichokes -- at booth No. 2821 during the trade show this month.

NEWARK, DE -- Members of the Mexican produce industry conversed first- hand on important issues and Produce Marketing Association's increasing activities in Mexico during a September visit to that country by Nancy Tucker, PMA's vice president of global business development, and PMA Mexico representative Alejandro Larreategui.