Amid a lawsuit claiming that its operations are unconstitutional (see story on page 1 of the Aug. 28 issue of The Produce News), the California Tomato Commission and its president, Ed Beckman, defended their actions in separate statements released the week of Aug. 28.

In addition, Mr. Beckman said that the board continues to march forward to a Sept. 19 meeting in which the downsizing of the commission's programs and a refocusing of its message are expected to be approved.

Canada's federal government will spend as much as $1.5 million over two years to help develop international markets for the country's wild blueberries.

The money will be given to the Canadian component of the New Brunswick-based Wild Blueberry Association of North America, which represents growers and processors from Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The association acts as a promotional arm for the industry.

SALINAS, CA  In Dennis Donohue's way of thinking, it defies logic that the top fresh produce city in the nation is not a player in biofuels and a whole array of emerging ag tech industries.

"Salinas is to fresh what Detroit is to cars," said Salinas native Mr. Donohue, president of Salinas-based European Vegetable Specialties Farms Inc. We are the center of the fresh world.

The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, the National Council of Agricultural Employers and the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform are organizing an Immigration Rally on Capitol Hill, scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, concurrent with United's annual Washington Public Policy Conference. The event will be the second Capitol Hill rally these organizations have coordinated this year to highlight to Congress the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

It wasn't a simple choice, but it's one Ryan McKenna is happy to have made. The 23-year-old gave up his study of medicine at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, to come home this summer to Prince Edward Island, Canada, and join the business founded by his grandfather and great-uncle.

McKenna Bros. Ltd. in Cardigan, Prince Edward Island, is a distributor-shipper of potatoes and seed potatoes. Mr. McKenna became an official, full-time member of the company's sales department in July.