The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service announced Oct. 22 that it had amended its citrus canker regulations to allow fruit from quarantined areas to be shipped to all U.S. states and territories based on results of new scientific research.

The ruling was praised in Florida, the only state that was under quarantine for citrus canker, but questioned by other citrus-producing states and territories.

Were you ever given an exceptional sales pitch when shopping for a new car, television, computer or other item? How about for a specific service such as lawn care, pest control or auto maintenance? How do presentations come across to you when seeking a supplier, equipment or a specialized vendor? What kind of pitches do salespeople give you to get your business? And once they get in the door, are all those golden promises fulfilled?

The Southeast Produce Council will be looking back a decade and forward a decade as it gathers the first weekend in November to celebrate a major milestone: its 10th anniversary.

The council will hold its annual golf tournament and offer a variety of events -- both educational and social - for the expected large turnout of members at its 10th anniversary celebration and fall conference, set for Nov. 5-7 at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, GA.

Dennis Latina, a longtime leader of Philadelphia's fruit import industry, died suddenly at home Oct. 23, one day after celebrating his 60th birthday with family and friends.

J&C Tropicals, based in Miami, is joining forces with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and Publix Super Markets to launch a new produce brand, "Redland Raised."

The new brand was to be officially announced Oct. 29 at the Publix Super Market at the Tropicaire Shopping Center in Miami. At the announcement, J&C was to feature its signature boniato.

TexaSweet Citrus Marketing Inc. will begin the new marketing season with fresh programs and materials.

"This season we have a wide variety of outreach programs in place, and we can't wait to spread the word about our sweet Rio Star Grapefruit," Eleisha Ensign, executive director of TexaSweet, said in an Oct. 28 press release.