VIENNA, VA -- The U.S. Apple Association's National Apple Month program announced Jan. 24 the winners of the fall 2005 National Apple Month retail and military display contests, bringing the apple industry's fall generic apple promotion to a close.

DETROIT -- When the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks meet here Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. EST to battle for a Super Bowl victory, the Detroit produce industry will have already been cheering for several days.

Despite continued news reports that RFID technology is costly and its benefits are concentrated at retail, there appears to be growing recognition that adoption is inevitable.

WATSONVILLE, CA -- Whether competing in a race or exercising alone on a lonesome back road, cyclists wearing the uniform of Watsonville, CA-based California Giant are expected to carry themselves in a manner befitting the company they represent.

Riders from the elite team and local riders from the masters team came out to the Watsonville area Jan. 20-22 for training - both for racing and representing.

MONTE VISTA, CO -- As the interview process continues for a new executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Assistant Executive Director Linda Weyers and Marketing Committee Chairman David Tonso said in late January that they were both confident the right person will come to the job.

"We have interviewed several great applicants," Mr. Tonso said. "But we just haven't found that right person. We're not looking for a super hero, but we do have specific needs."

During the past holiday season, I visited the produce trenches to observe product, quality and merchandising displays of supermarket chains.

This is a normal routine, since I enjoy being with the people on the front lines where all the action takes place.

In one supermarket, I stood at the entrance and observed an area which included the deli, in-store bakery, floral and produce departments.