Tony DiMare (left) receives FFVA's 2011 Distinguished Service Award from FFVA Chairman Drew Duda.

MAITLAND,

WASHINGTON -- Legislation that would require employers to use E-Verify to check worker’s legal status passed the House Judiciary Committee Sept. 21 without much relief for agricultural producers.

The Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2885) passed the committee by a 22-to-13 vote without any amendments that would have carved out agricultural producers from the measure. At this time, the measure is not scheduled for House floor action.

Fresh Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, announced Sept. 19 the introduction of two new consumer-preferred organic salad mixes and the launch of an awareness campaign that highlights the added benefits of purchasing Fresh Express USDA certified organic salads.

Longtime employee Fred Webber will become the new president and chief executive officer at the Canadian-based Dispute Resolution Corp. when Stephen Whitney, the current CEO, retires at the end of this year.

Mr. Whitney announced his pending retirement earlier this year, which led to an executive, search process by a committee of the DRC.

The tomato category has been growing ever since the Incas first cultivated them back in 700 A.D. Today, tomatoes are a major sales contributor to the supermarket produce department.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that tomatoes began to show some new spark. By the mid-1990s, tomato varieties were continuing to help expand the category by reaching new sales-volume heights.

As tomatoes experienced steady growth, new varieties were constantly being offered and placed on the market to retailers. Diverse packaging also helped boost tomato sales immensely.