PHILADELPHIA -- In January 2006, Maersk Line in Charlotte, NC, began a direct service from Chile to Philadelphia with containerized fruit. Huge Maersk ships brought the fruit to Philadelphia's Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.

While the volume in these containers for the first year was not considered overly significant by the trade, the way of doing business was a change, and it is raising eyebrows here as the port industry looks forward.

Highline Mushrooms, based in Leamington, ON, announced July 27 the launch of its new organic line, which includes 100 percent certified organic white, Mini Bella and sliced Portabella mushrooms.

"We think growing organic mushrooms is one of Highline's finest achievements," Murray O'Neil, founder and owner of Highline Mushrooms, said in a statement. "We have been on the leading edge of many advances in technology over the past 45 years, but this is one that has great significance for ourselves, our retail partners and speaks directly to the desires of consumers.

After a difficult start during May and June in the Coachella Valley, the California grape season appeared in July to be showing promise for much improvement as the harvest got underway in the San Joaquin Valley.

It did seem to be a mixed bag, as growers cited a wide range of conditions and expectations. Most growers seemed to expect moderate volume, steady supplies and excellent quality on most varieties.

The New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, announced that its 2006 Defense Commissary Agency display contest was an overwhelming success.

With a total of 20 entries, it was the second-highest participation in the seven-year history of the program. Four winning displays were chosen, with awards going to Patrick AFB Commissary in Patrick, FL; Fort Gillem Commissary in Forest Park, GA; Fort Rucker Commissary in Fort Rucker, AL; and Fort Drum Commissary in Fort Drum, NY.

A sticker that could tell whether an apple is ripe in the orchard and packinghouse is being tested this fall and could be marketed as early as next year.

Mark Riley, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona, teamed with Arizona psychologist Robert Klein years ago to develop a new device they hope is different from other technologies that have proven to be expensive or time-consuming in measuring fruit ripeness.

Sundia Corp., based in San Francisco, announced that its Original Watermelon Juice and watermelon juice blends are now found in the produce sections of over 2,000 retail stores nationwide, exceeding the company's expectations.

The watermelon marketer and juice company picked up retail distribution in New England and the Midwest the third week of July. Retailers carrying Sundia juices now include Whole Foods, Randall's, A&P, Shaw's, Albertson's, Wal-Mart, HEB and Tom Thumb.