WASHINGTON -- U.S. Department of Agriculture officials took the first crack at fielding scores of questions about the new country-of-origin labeling rule during an Aug. 6 webinar sponsored by the Produce Marketing Association and Western Growers Association.

The webinar was the first opportunity members from both trade groups had to hear top-level Agricultural Marketing Service staff members navigate through specific questions regarding how the produce industry should comply with the Aug. 1 interim final rule, which goes into effect Sept. 30.

This is an interesting food industry. It is amazing to see how it evolves from year to year under so many struggles and challenges. Yet it continues to change dramatically and move forward each time we turn around.

Following the discovery of the same Salmonella Saintpaul strain that was identified in the current Salmonella outbreak in the United States in a Jalape?o pepper and a sample of irrigation water collected on a farm in Mexico, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency established an import alert and hold-and-test sampling plan for Mexican Jalape?o and Serrano peppers entering Canada.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- More than 100 grape growers and marketers from 14 countries around the world converged here July 29-31 for Sun World International's second Table Grape Producer Expo.

The first such event was held five years ago.

Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, is continuing to grow and diversify its global strategy. To that end, produce industry leader Mark Lewis has been appointed its executive vice president, launching an aggressive expansion strategy. He will be in charge of new product development.

A former director and product leader of Chiquita's deciduous division and chief executive officer of Richland Sales Co., Mr. Lewis is credited with developing and growing several highly successful domestic and import programs globally.

LONGUEUIL, QC -- The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will pay tribute to women working in the produce industry at its 61st annual convention Aug. 14-16 at the Fairmount Le Manoir Richelieu in LaMalbaie, QC.

In addition to numerous networking and educational opportunities, convention attendees will be able to partake in many exciting outdoor activities that the venue, about two hours northeast of Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, offers.