Accent lighting is becoming increasingly popular in the supermarket. Carefully aimed bulbs can enhance the green waxy shine on avocados, boost sunny colors on bananas, and make radishes, grapes and blueberries look positively mouth watering.

According to new research conducted by scientists at the University of Idaho extension, however, some lights work better on potatoes than others. The study showed that certain bright overhead lights speed the rate at which potatoes turn green, and that's a consumer turnoff.

WASHINGTON -- Expect production losses in fruits and vegetables of between $5 billion and $9 billion annually if enforcement-only bills like the House-passed immigration reform bill becomes law, says a new study by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has asked Charles M. Kuperus to continue to serve as New Jersey secretary of agriculture.

"In order to build a better New Jersey, all aspects of our economy must be thriving. Charles Kuperus understands this," Mr. Corzine, who was sworn in as governor of the Garden State on Jan. 17, said in a statement. "And he also recognizes the unique challenges facing New Jersey's farmers and agricultural community. I am pleased he has agreed to be part of my administration."

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The wholesale produce markets are broken and they need to be fixed, according to Pete Carcione, president of Carcione's Fresh Produce Co. Inc. as well as president of Golden Gate Produce Terminal in South San Francisco.

The markets will continue to attract buyers in large part because they can cut and taste the produce there before buying it. Mr. Carcione just wants them to do it at a later hour.

Chefs and foodservice leaders from America's top chain restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and key members of the produce industry joined forces to develop options for making fruits and vegetables more available to the growing number of consumers who rely on away-from-home purchases for meals and snacks.

Produce First! American Menus Initiative, an innovative collaboration between Produce for Better Health Foundation and the Culinary Institute of America was held Jan. 15 at the CIA at Greystone in Napa Valley, CA.

Humberto (Beto) Moreno, 29, who was previously with the Nogales, AZ, office of Hammonton, NJ-based Frank Donio Inc., has started his own company, Arizona Mixers & Fresh Produce LLC, in Nogales, in partnership with a brother, Mauro Moreno, 33, and Charles Slack, 40.

Mr. Moreno told The Produce News in a telephone interview Jan. 13 that he opened the new company Dec. 31, and will specialize in distributing and brokering tomatoes and Mexican vegetables, primarily to customers on the East Coast.