TAMPA, FL -- As the trend toward organic produce continues to grow, produce suppliers and retailers are well served to gain a better understanding about what drives consumer decisions to buy organic produce. A panel discussion held here Feb. 24 during the Southeast Produce Council conference set out to examine some of the buying habits of organic consumers.

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's farm bill proposal that would pump a wide array of expanded marketing and research funds into specialty crops got its first airing at a Feb. 28 hearing before a U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee.

At the hearing, members of Congress raised concerns plaguing their districts' specialty crop growers, from needing help in combating foreign crop pests to the potentially high cost of lifting planting restrictions to comply with World Trade Organization rules.

WASHINGTON -- The produce industry will have two opportunities starting in about two weeks to share real-world experiences in food safety and explore options that the federal government is considering in revamping handling rules throughout the produce supply chain.

FDA has announced two public hearings on produce safety: the first will take place March 20 in Oakland, CA, and the second April 13 at FDA's headquarters in College Park, MD.

Wal-Mart executive Pam Kohn has succeeded Bruce Peterson as senior vice president of perishables of the nation's largest chain.

A spokesperson for Wal-Mart confirmed the appointment but said that Ms. Kohn was not available for comment and that no further information was available at this time. Ms. Kohn had been senior vice president of Wal-Mart's Southeast division and leader of the chain's Neighborhood Markets.

William Henry Schwabe, who for 12 years worked as potato promoter for the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, died Feb. 17 in Pueblo, CO, following a three-year battle against lung cancer. He was 83.

According to CPAC Board Chairman Tom Ford, Mr. Schwabe was respected for his contributions to the potato industry during his period as "man on the road" for the committee in the 1980s.

"Bill visited retailers for us, promoting our potatoes. He was very personable and very good at what he did," Mr. Ford said.

The California Leafy Greens Products Handler Marketing Agreement Advisory Board elected an advisory board at its first meeting held Feb. 23 in Woodland, CA.

Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations for Castroville-based Ocean Mist Farms, was elected chairman, and Eric Schwartz, president of Salinas-based Dole Fresh Vegetables, was elected vice chairman. Both are from the Salinas- Watsonville-San Joaquin Valley-Kern County district.