The second-largest agricultural market in Latin America took a significant step toward becoming a free trade partner with the United States Feb. 27 with the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations between the United States and Colombia, although Congress must still approve the deal.

Though there have been hundreds of violations of the new wood packaging regulations regarding imported packaging materials, few have been specific to fruits and vegetables, according to Cathy Sauceda, director of the Special Enforcement Office of Field Operations/Trade Programs for U.S. Customs & Border Protection.

"In anticipation of that question, I asked [the individual port directors] and was surprised to find that fresh produce violations do not represent a disproportionate amount," she told The Produce News Feb. 22.

Sweetbay and Kash n' Karry announced the promotion of Shelley G. Broader to chief executive officer at the Tampa- based supermarket chains. Ms. Broader, formerly president and chief operating officer at the chains, has led the successful creation of Sweetbay.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering opening the U.S. market to mangos from India after 17 years. But the world's largest producer of mangos will still need to overcome several obstacles to seal the deal.

U.S. agriculture officials have been reluctant to open the U.S. market to mangos from India because it was never assured that shipments would be pest-free. While India is the world's largest producer of mangos, it exports less than 1 percent of its crop. Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States do not accept India's mangos.

WASHINGTON -- Past marches on Washington evoke visions of thousands of people carrying signs and shouting slogans, but the produce sector is hoping to carry a strong message to lawmakers when it rallies March 15 on Capitol Hill to lobby on the issue of immigration reform.

During his March 4 keynote speech to attendees of the Southeast Produce Council annual conference and exposition in Fort Lauderdale, FL, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association President Tom Stenzel announced the launch of a three-year, $1.5 million fundraising campaign for Project Fresh Start, a new nutrition and health policy project of the United Research & Education Foundation.