Representatives committed to the success of South Africa’s summer citrus export program to the United States gathered in the heart of one of South Africa’s citrus-growing regions in late March. The annual planning session included growers, exporters, U.S.-based importers, shipping partners, receivers and service providers, and government representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, as well as Vangile Titi-Msumza, South Africa Minister of Agriculture to the U.S., and Erica Barks- Ruggles, the U.S.

The board of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council has approved charitable contributions for 2014 totaling $24,200.

The largest contribution was made to United's Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative. The council's $11,300 donation will provide for four salad bars to be installed in California schools. Contributions the FPFC made in 2012 and 2013 provided for 16 salad bars.

With production in Mexico and three California districts, Eclipse Berry Farms LLC in Los Angeles is in the strawberry business every day of the year, according to Suart Gilfenbain, a salesman with the company.

In California, Eclipse grows strawberries in Oxnard, Santa Maria and Watsonville. The Santa Maria program, which consists of 300 acres of Albion and Monterey strawberries, is new this year.

This May, The Oso Sweet Co. is partnering with Vidalia onion grower Stanley Farms to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

Northern California received significant amounts of much-needed rainfall during the last week of March and first day of April, with Central California receiving smaller amounts. The central and northern Sierra Mountains received significant snowfall as well.

With California in its third year of what has been called the worst drought in a century, and with many farms already facing severe water cuts and dropping water tables, growers welcomed the rain and snow, but while it will improve the water situation somewhat in the state, it won’t come close to making up the shortfall.

Karen Brux, managing director North America for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in San Carlos, CA, said that she feels it is fair to say that this has been a very challenging season for everyone involved in Chilean fruit, from growers and exporters to importers, wholesalers and retailers.