WASHINGTON " In a key victory for U.S. producers, the World Trade Organization has ruled that the European Union can no longer keep out U.S. brand name products, such as Florida oranges or Idaho potatoes.

WASHINGTON " With McDonald?s planning to unveil a new produce item on its menu in May, the fast-food giant announced that it would join the Produce for Better Health Foundation?s board of trustees and step up its educational campaign about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.

?We are very pleased to have McDonald?s join the foundation?s board of trustees," said Elizabeth Pivonka, president of PBH. As a member of the board of trustees, it means that the restaurant chain is supportive of the goals of the foundation and will provide guidance on policies.

TAMPA, FL " There were many aspects to the Southeast Produce Council?s second annual Retail & Foodservice Conference and Expo that contributed to the event?s success, including opening and closing parties, educational field tours, a golf tournament, a dynamic keynote address and, of course, a trade show.

On the work side of the ledger, the combination of keynote address, industry speakers and retailer panel discussion was certainly one highlight of the entire event, held here March 10-12.

Two U.S. produce importers recently received South African approval to market a premiere fresh mandarin variety, Afourer.

The importers, Fisher Capespan USA LLC in Gloucester City, NJ, and Seald Sweet LLC in Vero Beach, FL, were appointed by CitroGold (Pty) Ltd. to handle the variety. CitroGold is a South African citrus variety management company based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Tommy Hays is still getting his feet wet in the produce industry, but that hasn?t stopped him from diving right in.

Mr. Hays, 24, is a member of the sales team at Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative, a grower, packer and shipper of clementines, Navel and Valencia oranges, Minneolas, kiwifruit, Roma tomatoes and table grapes, headquartered in Bakersfield, CA. He works in the main sales office in Los Angeles.