Despite the unusual and devastating weather conditions in many apple-producing states this year that resulted in a 14 percent drop nationwide, Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, has one of the nicest apple crops ever in its 100-year history.

The Canadian Fruit Inspection Agency has expanded its recall of “Daniella” brand mangos to include the entire country because of a Salmonella Braenderup contamination concern that has resulted in about a dozen illnesses. In addition, mangos are suspected in a similar Salmonella outbreak in California.

Del Monte Fresh Produce supported the HEAT Back to School event Monday, Aug. 20. The HEAT, Del Monte and other corporate partners kicked off the 2012-13 school year by welcoming back the students and teachers of Orange Brook Elementary in Florida's Broward County.

WASHINGTON — The Food & Drug Administration announced Aug. 28 that cantaloupe collected at Owensville, IN-based Chamberlain Farms Produce Inc. tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella that has sickened 178 people in 21 states.

Although weather has presented its own set of challenges for growers of Peruvian sweet onions, Oso Sweet Onions is cautiously optimistic that the 2012 season will be a good one. “God willing, our volume will increase,” said President Brian Kastick. “We can control 80 percent. But 20 percent is in God’s hands.” The company, headquartered in Charleston, WV, is in its fourth season as a year-round marketer of sweet onions.

A new table grape variety that is being offered this year for the first time by Jasmine Vineyards in Delano, CA, is Sweet Celebration. It is a red seedless variety with large berry size, great color and excellent eating quality, according to Brian Crettol, a salesman for the company.

“This is going to be our first year’s production in Sweet Celebration,” Mr. Crettol said Aug. 7. “It is starting to color. The sizing looks great. Bunch formation is good. There is a good crop hanging out there, so we are pretty excited about it.”