In a landmark decision following protracted litigation over the Sugraone, a seedless grape variety owned by Sun World International LLC, a federal court judge has found Sun Pacific Farming Cooperative Inc. and related parties liable for fraud and conversion for Sun Pacific's unlawful taking of Sun Worlds property. The court ordered Sun Pacific to stop growing and destroy the Sugraone variety grapevines in question and pay damages of nearly $300,000 to Sun World.

As the head of the Produce Marketing Association's newly formed education foundation, Cindy Seel will be looking at ways to lure new talent into the produce industry.

The new foundation will have two goals. One is to make the produce industry more of an employment choice for young people, said Ms. Seel, who officially started her new job Aug. 14. The other is to service people already working in the industry. Ms. Seel said that PMA has "broken ground" on the first goal, but has yet to tackle workforce development issues.

Peter Rabbit Farms, based in California's Coachella Valley, has announced the sale of certain assets related to its carrot business to WM. Bolthouse Farms Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, a carrot grower and processor.

Founded in 1950, Peter Rabbit Farms is a third-generation, family- owned, grower-packer-shipper-marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For the fourth year in a row, Consumer Effects Inc. in Sacramento, CA, is partnering with a major retailer, a children's network and multiple shippers to hold a nationwide healthy-eating campaign promoting fresh produce to kids.

The Good-to-Grow campaign kicked off in August and will last the entire month featuring point-of-sale material, demonstrations, in- store radio and many other events as it encourages children to eat more fruits and vegetables. More than 1,100 SuperValu stores, including Albertson's, Acme, Jewel-Osco and Shaw's, are participating in the promotion.

WASHINGTON -- The eagerly awaited government proposal that for the first time ever allows low-income mothers and children to buy fresh fruit and vegetables with WIC vouchers is seen not only as a public health revolution but also a boon to the produce industry.

Adding to its product categories and network of shipper collaborators, citrus from both California and Florida will be sold under the "Green Giant Fresh" brand beginning this fall.

Sunny Cove Citrus in Orange Cove, CA, will be packing California Navels, Valencias, Mineolas and Mandarins under the label, while Vero Beach, FL-based DLF International will be marketing grapefruit, tangerines, oranges and other locally grown products. In addition, both partners will eventually expand the brand to product sourced internationally.