The first day of spring was officially ushered in March 20, but outside my office window there remain more than 18 inches of snow blanketing dormant grass. This cruel winter season unfortunately refuses to release its grasp on the northern parts of the United States. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, hot weather and lack of rainfall continue to challenge flower growers.

Cinco de Mayo continues to be a magnet for avocado sales -- led by guacamole -- as sales in 2013 jumped almost 25 percent over already-robust sales in 2012.

"This is a big holiday for avocados, and it keeps getting bigger," said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board, based in Irvine, CA.

But make no mistake about it. Despite its Hispanic name and Mexican origin, this is an American holiday.

There are many factors to be considered in selecting a strawberry variety for planting. Certainly yield per acre is an important consideration, for at today’s high input costs, low yields would make almost any farming venture economically unsustainable. Shelf life is also important, particularly for a strawberry crop grow in California for customers on the East Coast.

But at Santa Cruz Berry Farming Co. LLC, the first criterion is flavor, according to Fritz Koontz, managing partner.

J.T. Guida, president of Pexco Produce Sales in Pompano Beach, FL, said the company has held onto its superior rating of 98 percent from PrimusLabs since its first rating several years ago.

“We are now getting superior ratings from the more intensive Primus program; Primus GFS,” Guida told The Produce News. “This rating is geared toward packinghouses and consolidation facilities, and many chain retailers are requiring it today.”

The company’s value-added program, which it started a few years ago, continues to gain in popularity with its customers.

Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association unveiled a national movement — ‘eat brighter!’ — applying the strength and influence of the "Sesame Street" brand and its beloved characters to inspire children ages 2 to 5, and their parents and caregivers, to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The ‘eat brighter!’ tagline draws parallels between the characteristics of the "Sesame Street" brand and fresh fruits and vegetables — like healthy, brilliant and alive.

A judge's mid-March ruling overturning Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black's mandate that no Vidalia onions can be packed or shipped prior to April 21 will have no bearing on this year's crop, which has been delayed by cool weather.