OTHELLO, WA -- The Washington & Oregon United Potato Growers Cooperative announced that its members have reduced acreage by nearly 6,000 acres in 2005-06, which is one of the bigger documented cuts (from a percentage standpoint) in the United States.

Last year the tomato market got so hot that there were widespread reports of processed tomatoes being marketed as fresh tomatoes through non-traditional shippers.

"At one point during the summer, I was down in L.A. on the Sixth and Seventh Street Markets," said Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Commission, "and 14 houses were selling processed tomatoes as Romas. It is not just a little problem.

WENATCHEE, WA -- Stemilt Growers Inc. has announced the addition of organic produce industry veteran Nancy Dudney to its fruit sales team.

Ms. Dudney has extensive experience in many facets of organic produce marketing, from selling to retailers and wholesalers to selling product through farmers market-style outlets. Most recently, she was the sales and marketing director for King Blossom Natural Orchards, a Brewster, WA-based organic orchard company with a Wenatchee-based sales office that produces approximately 100,000 boxes of organic apples each year.

Founded in May 2002 by John Shuman of Shuman Produce Inc., a Vidalia onion handler, the Produce for Kids campaign teams suppliers with retailers to raise money for Children's Miracle Network, spread information about the health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, and help to sell more produce.

"Aussie citrus is known for its great quality," said Stu Monaghan, DNE sales manager for Australian Citrus. "The growing regions of Australia have benefited from some cool nights throughout the current growing season, so fruit color is coming on, the internal maturity is high and the peel quality is excellent. Each year Aussie Navel oranges are revered as the best citrus in the world, and this year's crop will exemplify those high standards.

Melon shippers in the West Side district of California are hoping for a repeat of last season, when shipments eclipsed the 23 million-carton mark.

Jerry Munson, manager of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, said in early June that the board estimateed that 20 million cantaloupes -- in 40-pound cartons -- will be harvested this year in the West Side deal, but conceded that the deal "usually goes over that."