NEW ORLEANS — The United States is rebounding nicely from its economic woes over the past several years and that should bode well for the agricultural sector, according to a panel at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention, here.

The panelists convened and discussed various subjects, including the world economy and factors that will affect countries and business sectors as they distance themselves from the most recent recession.

The Michigan apple industry set new shipment records two weeks in a row in October, shipping 414,702 boxes of apples the week of Oct. 12.

The news was released just after the USDA-MDA Market News Service returned from furlough as a result of the federal government shutdown.

WASHINGTON -- The 16-day government shutdown caused a backlog of H-2A visa applications and, with the winter fruit and vegetable harvest season approaching, more than two dozen members of Congress urged the federal government to staff up the program and turn around applications as soon as possible.

I Love Produce, a pioneer in importation of organic ginger from Peru, has initiated a program to donate money from the sales of Peruvian organic ginger in the U.S. market with proceeds going to a local Peruvian secondary school in the rainforest region where the ginger is produced.

Stemilt Growers LLC and David Harris plan to work their mutual magic at Booth No. 2851 at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in New Orleans.

“We will be bringing David Harris, a talented magician, back to our booth this year after his great performance last year,” Communications Manager Brianna Shales told The Produce News in early October.

The company is located in Wenatchee, WA, and has long been recognized as a leader in the tree fruit industry.

Eggplant done right in the kitchen can provide a wonderful eating experience for consumers. Eggplant done right in the produce department can be profitable for retailers.

But eggplant is not as forgiving as some produce. Prepared improperly, it can be a culinary disappointment, and improper handling at store level can result in costly shrink.