After reviewing studies on Fit fruit and vegetable wash, the U.S. Army has approved it as an alternative sanitizer for fresh fruits and vegetables used by the military, a move that may clear the way for the Fit manufacturer to market the antibacterial product to government installations.

"We were approached by the manufacturer and found it worked," said Alphonso (Rick) Byrd of the Army Center for Excellence, Quality Assurance Division. The group, based in Fort Lee, VA, is in charge of providing food- safety advice for the military's worldwide foodservice program.

Former California Grown Chief Executive Officer Scott Horsfall has been named to head the new California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.

The agreement has voluntary participation, and about 99 percent of the leafy greens production in California is accounted for under the agreement. Mr. Horsfall steps into the role "familiar with the requirements" of marketing agreements, he said. He will begin his new position May 29 and will be located in Sacramento, CA, although the exact location hadn't been determined as of Friday, May 18.

WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association has approved a plan to begin collecting microbiological testing data on commodities, Robert Whitaker of NewStar Fresh Foods said at a food-safety hearing on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Whitaker, who is also past chairman of United Fresh, said that the database would be blinded to protect the identity of data sources and developed in conjunction with outside legal counsel to provide maximum integrity.

MONTREAL -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's recently completed convention was shorter in duration than in previous years, but CPMA officials termed it successful in all respects, from workshops to social events, from speakers to the trade show.

The 82nd annual convention, held here May 9-11, was a three-day event - one day shorter than in previous years.

SALINAS, CA -- Kay Filice, owner of Filice Farms in Hollister, was named chairman of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California at its annual awards banquet Thursday, May 17, held at Corral de Tierra Country Club.

The award marks the first time in the association's 77-year history that a woman has ascended to the role. Ms. Filice served as vice chairman of the association for 2006-07.

An inedible, toxic fruit could be the best thing that has happened to the burgeoning movement in biofuels, and agribusiness talent from the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas could help tip the balance in favor of that fruit becoming the biofuel source of choice worldwide.