Watsonville, CA-based California Giant owners and staff are preparing to walk and run around the clock in the battle against cancer for the fifth consecutive year during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life this summer in Watsonville. This 24-hour "celebration of life" brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.

Salinas, CA-based Mills Family Farms will be inactive as of Saturday, July 5. David Armanasco, a spokesperson hired by the company, said that the Blue Book has listed the company as inactive as part of a restructuring taking place at Mills Family Farms.

Mr. Armanasco said that Mills' product would continue to be available through other distribution channels and that Mills is in contact with its customers regarding these matters.

The Produce News reported news of the Mills restructuring in its June 30 issue.

(United Fresh Produce Association e-mailed the following information Tuesday evening, July 8 on the "status of government food safety advice to consumers and industry" regarding the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak.)

Over the past 24 hours, we have received a number of questions from members regarding the [Food & Drug Adminstration's] and [Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's] official advice to consumers and the industry regarding potential actions related to the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak.

NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the death of Robert G. Backovich, a long-time retail produce veteran. Mr. Backovich died June 30 at the age of 76.

Mr. Backovich suffered from from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, a disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid in various organs and tissues of the body.

RIVERHEAD, NY -- It's a "Superior" for Fresh from the Start LLC.

Fresh from the Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, earned a "Superior" rating from AIB International for its broccoli growing and shipping operation in Caribou, ME, and the firm expects this year's deal to kick off in mid-July.

Spectators who stopped by the Giant Foods booth at the 2008 American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania June 25 saw the walk-around Cookie Monster and had an opportunity to enter a raffle offering prizes that promoted healthy lifestyles to children.

California Giant, a partner in Sesame Street's Healthy Habits for Life program, has teamed up with Giant Foods in Carlisle, PA, and at its booth, the firm encouraged children to make healthy choices through activities, handouts and an appearance by walk-around Cookie Monster.