WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill is weighing in on the need to repropose food safety rules as 75 members of Congress sent a letter to the Food & Drug Administration warning that farms and processors will suffer and some businesses may close if there's no opportunity to comment on revamped food-safety rules before they become final.

If you’re a fan of NBC’s "The Voice," it should come as no surprise to you that 20-year-old gospel singer and Yardley, PA-native Matthew Schuler is the son of a minister, especially after his soulful and moving rendition of “Hallelujah,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 on iTunes shortly after he performed it live during the Nov. 11 show.

What may come as a surprise to you, however, is that Schuler’s chops have some pretty close ties to the produce industry.

Vegetable producers in the West have had a very good run this fall with strong demand outstripping supplies, but moving forward supply and demand are expected to be in sync and prices have come off considerably.

Nick Pappas, who is on the sales desk for Salinas, CA-based Bengard Ranch Inc., told The Produce News Nov. 25 that good supplies were available on basically all vegetables for the Thanksgiving push and the same is expected throughout December, assuming the weather cooperates.

Anyone who deals in or is even mildly familiar with the amount of fresh produce that is imported into North America every year from Chile understands the importance of the partnerships that are maintained by these annual movements.

Mastronardi Produce announced that it is now offering a variety of fair trade certified products.

"Sunset Campari" brand cocktail tomatoes, "One Sweet" peppers, "Kumato" tomatoes and sweet Bell peppers are among the products that have become Fair Trade certified. These products are now available year-round to consumers across North America.

Interlex Communications, a San Antonio, TX-based advocacy marketing firm, acquired SenaReider, a 33-year-old ad agency, and relaunched it with a new brand identity, new leadership and a new website.

Earlier this year, Interlex purchased SenaReider from original owner and co-founder Lou Sena and has since spun SenaReider off to grow independently under the leadership of Heather Ruiz, who also co-founded Interlex and served as its creative director since 1995.