On April 6, the Ft. Pierce (FL) Tribune published a guest column about the state's Citrus Canker Eradication Program. In it, Jack Haire, a Broward County resident who was a participant in the original anti-canker eradication lawsuits that delayed the process for several years, made some statements that officials from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services adamantly state are untrue.

To paraphrase a quote I read recently, "Why change? Survival is not a requirement."

For many companies in the produce industry, that choice is not theoretical. Either they change the way they're doing business, or they won't likely survive.

As United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association heads into our second century of service to the produce industry, our members are coming together to share a vision, construct their own individual plans, and then go out into the marketplace to not only survive but thrive.

PHOENIX - At an April 15 gala dinner feting one of the larger gatherings in the 18-year history of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association's annual conference and exhibition, Earthbound Farm and its founders, Drew and Myra Goodman, were named recipients of the 2005 Fresh-Cut Produce Award.

Presented by the IFPA and The Produce News, the Fresh-Cut Produce Award recognized Earthbound Farm for its revolutionary work in advancing organically grown fresh-cut products.

WENATCHEE, WA - Dovex Marketing Co. announced April 19 that it will stop selling the organic fruit of Blue Bird Inc. at the end of the 2004 crop season..

Dovex has been selling the organic fruit of Blue Bird since 1999. The combined volume of Dovex and Blue Bird increased from 200,000 cartons in 1999 to 800,000 cartons in 2004, of which 80 percent is from Dovex growers.

New York state apple growers have voted decisively to reauthorize the New York State Apple Marketing Order, with 71 percent of the ballots cast in favor of re-certifying the order for another eight years.

The referendum was carried out over the past month and certified April 19 by Nathan L. Rudgers, New York state commissioner of agriculture.

The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association has announced the produce industry leaders nominated to serve on its 2005 board of directors. Ascending to chairman of the board is Nicholas J. Tompkins, president and CEO of Apio Inc. in Guadalupe, CA.

Mr. Tompkins has been CEO of Apio since its founding in 1979. The company is a manufacturer and marketer of pre-cut value-added vegetables to the club store, retail and foodservice sectors, as well as an exporter of fruits and vegetables throughout the world.