Winn-Dixie, the Florida retailer that filed for bankruptcy protection in February, is working through that process as it has come to terms with some of its major vendors and announced the sale of some of its stores.

Johnson O'Hare, a leading full-service produce sales and marketing organization in New England and metropolitan New York, announced the expansion of its produce operations into eastern and central Pennsylvania.

The new organization, JO'H Produce PA, will be headquartered in Conshohocken, PA. Terri Lowden, vice president of JO'H Produce PA, will lead a team that will cover headquarters and retail in the Philadelphia and Harrisburg markets.

In addition, the company has added to its staff to facilitate the expansion.

In mid-July, the Canadian-based Dispute Resolution Corp. took the unusual step of issuing what it called a "Red Alert," advising its members to be "especially careful about selling into eastern Canada.

The alert said, in part: "Based on reports we have received in recent weeks, we believe there has been an upsurge in fraudulent produce buying by unscrupulous individuals in Quebec and Ontario, most notably in Montreal and Toronto.

NEW YORK -- Obesity awareness, the health and nutrition movement, the new USDA MyPyramid Plan and a restructured understanding of the importance of regular exercise and physical activity are all having a dramatic impact on how American consumers spends their time and money.

They have also inspired innovative food producers to tap into the movement by introducing products that promise good nutrition.

Although it's mid-summer, several Florida agricultural organizations already are working on their Christmas cards through an annual fundraiser for RCMA, the rural child care and education provider.

Children from RCMA centers statewide drew colorful, unique Christmas scenes that are being converted into holiday greeting cards to raise money for the non-profit organization, which cares for more than 6,200 children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families statewide.

PRINCETON, NJ -- About 50 people gathered here Friday morning, July 29 to hear New Jersey's governor and secretary of agriculture thank the attendees for their ongoing support of the state's fresh produce industry and to offer a brief update on the 2005 Jersey Fresh promotional campaign.