WASHINGTON -- The spinach industry has high hopes for a bill introduced by Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) that would authorize new money for food-safety research and help bail out producers that suffered steep losses in this fall's spinach outbreak.

"Significant research has been done on protecting our meat supply from E. coli outbreaks, but very little has been done on protecting our vegetables," Rep. Farr said when he introduced H.R. 6379, the Spinach Research & Recovery Act of 2006.

James Richard Graves Jr., former president and chief executive officer of Graves Bros. Co. in Wabasso, FL, died of a cancer-related illness Nov. 28 at age 68.

Mr. Graves served as a member of the Florida Citrus Commission in the 1980s and as a board member for Florida Citrus Mutual from 1978 to 1981. He also served on the board of directors of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association from 1982 to 1984, as its chairman in 1987 and as the organization's treasurer from 1992 to 1996.

RIO RICO, AZ -- Members of the Nogales produce industry convened at the 38th annual Nogales Produce Convention & Golf Tournament, here, Nov. 29- Dec. 2 to explore ideas about promoting the quality and availability of their products.

Highlighting the gathering were educational sessions held Nov. 29 and a two- day golf tournament Dec. 1-2.

Taco Bell Corp. announced Dec. 6 that it had removed green onions from its nearly 6,000 restaurants nationwide after its own preliminary tests showed the onions were tainted with E. coli O157:H7.

By press time, more than 40 people in five states were sickened from E. coli O157:H7, and federal food-safety officials believed that the latest information points the finger at diced green onions that were precut and bagged exclusively for Taco Bell.

WASHINGTON -- Two days after Taco Bell pulled green onions from its restaurants, a Pennsylvania man has sued Taco Bell and green onion supplier Boskovich Farms, saying that his E. coli O157:H7 infection was tied to tainted green onions served at the Mexican fast-food restaurant.

But the Food & Drug Administration said that federal authorities have yet to pinpoint a source of the outbreak, which has grown to 63 confirmed cases of E. coli infection in six states.

International Paper and Robert Mann Packaging Inc. have aligned to deliver The Total Package, an extensive array of packaging and distribution solutions, for strawberry growers, shippers and retailers.

Through the alliance, West Coast customers can enjoy beneficial packaging solutions and a strong distribution and customer service network.