The Southeast Produce Council has been very busy for the last few years working to build its organization by investing in what it believes is its greatest asset: recognizing and promoting youth.

Unlike many produce commodities that are now available virtually year-round from one source or another, fresh cherries remain highly seasonal, and the first cherries of the season typically command very high prices.

The earliest cherries out of California typically start around the first of May, with crops out of the Pacific Northwest following several weeks later.

A jump in the f.o.b. price as well as a need to get some fruit off the trees has resulted in a near doubling in the volume of California avocados the third week of March, with more volume expected moving forward.

In mid-March, the sale of five grocery store chains from Supervalu to Cerberus Capital Management was finalized leading to a plethora of activity on the retail front.

Washington — News that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO struck an agreement on principles for a guest worker visa program sound encouraging, but it's far from clear what this means for the overhaul of the agricultural worker visa program.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO agreed on how many visas should be offered and how much those workers should be paid, according to a report from the Associated Press. The proposal would allow 20,000 visas for low-skilled workers that would gradually grow to 200,000.

Lisa McNeece, vice president of foodservice and industrial sales at Grimmway Enterprises Inc., will be the guest speaker at the United Fresh Produce Association's annual Reception Honoring Women in Produce, to be held Wednesday, May 15, at United Fresh 2013 in San Diego.

Held each year in conjunction with the United Fresh convention and expo, the Reception Honoring Women in Produce recognizes the contributions of all women working in the produce industry, and selects one individual to share their personal experience of service.