Sonora a key part of Mexican deal
Although the heaviest volume of produce crossing from Mexico into the United States through Nogales, AZ, comes during the winter and early spring primarily out of the state of Sinaloa, the Nogales deal kicks off in earnest in October and November with melons and assorted vegetables from the state of Sonora, which borders Arizona.
FPFC luncheon brings food safety into the spotlight
NORWALK, CA -- Food safety was the topic of discussion at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council membership luncheon, held here Oct. 1 at the Norwalk Marriott. Neil Checketts, senior director of food safety and food defense for Wal-Mart and the featured speaker at the event, spoke about a myriad of food safety topics that confront retailers, foodservice operators and consumers.
Mr. Checketts first focused upon risk factors for retailers. He said that Wal- Mart founder Sam Walton once said, "The bigger Wal-Mart gets, the more important it is that we think small."
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog returns
NEW YORK -- Ocean Spray is once again bringing the beauty and the mystique of the cranberry harvest to the public with its "Bogs Across America" tour.
The tour's first stop was Oct. 7-9 at New York City's Rockefeller Center, marking the "Big Apple Bog's" third year at the world-famous location.
California lettuce named in E. coli outbreak probe
Michigan officials delivered some bad news to California leafy green growers Oct. 9 as they said that the E. coli outbreak that appears to have sickened over 40 people in the region is linked to California-grown lettuce.
Based on illness dates, shipping dates and delivery dates, Michigan authorities have narrowed the cause of the outbreak to California lettuce, according to Jennifer Holton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. State officials are focusing their investigation on Iceberg lettuce shipped during a span of a few days in mid-August.
CPMA announces new staff positions and structure
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association announced Oct. 10 changes within its organizational structure to meet the growing needs of members as the industry evolves in a climate of rapid change and fluctuating government regulations.
Temperature-recording veteran looking for new opportunities
Dan Vach?, who started working for Ryan Instruments 37 years ago and remained with the firm and its successors ever since, left Sensitech Inc. Sept. 30 and said he is pursuing other opportunities.
Mr. Vach? began his long career with the Redmond, WA-based recording instrument company in the summer of 1971 while he was attending a nearby community college.
Produce wholesaler to resume lettuce shipments, questions E. coli probe
The produce wholesaler named by Michigan authorities in an E. coli outbreak probe said that it will resume shipping Iceberg lettuce with new food-safety precautions, although it questions the epidemiological evidence that associated its lettuce with the outbreak in the first place.
On Sept. 26, Michigan officials named Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce Co. as the wholesaler responsible for selling bagged, industrial-sized packages of Iceberg lettuce that were served in restaurants and institutions, including colleges and a jail, where people got sick.
GAO report faults FDA oversight of fresh produce
WASHINGTON -- The Food & Drug Administration has no formal fresh produce program, spends very little money on fresh produce issues and conducts few inspections, according to a new report by the General Accountability Office.
NAM and Apple Crunch receive House endorsement
The National Apple Month program received an additional endorsement from the U.S. House of Representatives when it passed a resolution sponsored by Rep. Todd R. Platts (R-PA), supporting the goals and ideals of both National Apple Month and Apple Crunch, which is a national promotion targeting school-age children.
A one-day event celebrating Apple Crunch is scheduled for Oct. 29 sponsored by the Penn State Hershey Center for Nutrition & Activity Promotion in partnership with National Apple Month.
Georgia agriculture commissioner to retire at end of term
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin has announced plans to retire in 2010 at the end of his current term. When he does, he will have served in the position for 10 four-year terms. He is the longest-serving commissioner of agriculture in the United States and the longest serving statewide official in Georgia.
"It's just two years and a couple of days away," Commissioner Irvin told The Produce News Sept. 25. "It will also mark over 54 years of service to the people of Georgia."