California fresh-market carrot production has held relatively steady for the past several years. The production total came in at 20.29 million hundredweight in 2008, a slightly higher tally than 2007.

In 2006, the tally was 20.89 million hundredweight and in 2005, the tally was 20.6 million hundredweight. Production came in at slightly over 20 million hundredweight in both 2003 and 2004.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- On one fresh herb farm, visitors must don sterile surgical scrubs before entering a super-high-tech greenhouse. Inside, harvesters in blue scrubs and armed with sterilized scissors are suspended over the crop, hovering face down above broad rows, comfortably reaching a few inches to clip basil.

Tanimura & Antle Inc. has introduced new, exclusive scalloped clamshell packaging for its four- and six-count packages of "Artisan" lettuce, available for retail and clubstore sales.

The "Artisan" lettuce selections of fully mature, petite head lettuces are available in new, proprietary scalloped clamshell packaging designed to ensure freshness and a shelf life longer than packaged salad.

Winter has been a mixed bag for the Nogales, AZ, produce deal, with high volume and low prices on products in the tomato category for much of the winter and up-and-down volume on some vegetable items leading to volatile pricing that distributors say was at times high enough to discourage movement.

VIENNA, VA -- The U.S. Apple Association has announced the appointment of Mark Seetin to the post of director of regulatory and industry affairs, the responsibilities of which include representing apple industry issues to federal regulatory agencies and related coalitions as well as management of USApple's industry information program.

Rocco Russo Sr. died suddenly Friday, Feb. 20, after several years of declining health. He was 79 years old.

Mr. Russo was the namesake and founder of Rocky Produce Inc. in Detroit. Two of his sons, Rocky Jr. and Tom, are involved in the business.

In his later years, Mr. Russo devoted his time to Rocky's Historical Market, a small retail store in the Eastern Market section of Detroit.

He loved people, especially children, and was famous for his greeting over the public address system in the store: "It's a beautiful day at Rocky's."