Several specimens of Asian citrus psyllid were found in three adjoining backyards in Dinuba, CA, in an area surrounded by commercial citrus groves, early in the week of Sept. 9, and the discovery is expected to trigger a quarantine, prohibiting the movement of citrus fruit or plant materials from anywhere within a five-mile radius of where the pests were found, according to Bob Blakely, director of industry relations for California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, CA.

At the halfway point in the summer citrus season, South African Summer Citrus (www.summercitrus.com) continues in high demand across the U.S, where, to date, more than 30,000 tons of citrus have arrived.

Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. Inc. will be selling 29 of its stores.

Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent company of the BI-LO and Winn-Dixie grocery store chains, has entered into a definitive agreement with Piggly Wiggly to acquire 22 of its stores, with approximately 1,200 store employees in South Carolina and coastal Georgia. An additional seven stores will be purchased by Harris Teeter.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PLEASANTON, CA — Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, discussed the produce industry's opportunities and challenges, including the all-important food-safety issue, as the keynote speaker at the Sept. 12 Fresh Produce & Floral Council luncheon, here.

Stenzel, who titled his speech "Growth or Stagnation," said there are some factors that point to great growth on the horizon, but there are also challenges that threaten to derail that growth.

PLEASANTON, CA —  Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, left attendees of the Sept. 12 Fresh Produce & Floral Council luncheon with an optimistic view of the future. He said many programs are exposing more and more young people to fresh produce and hopefully putting them on the path of lifetime consumption.

{2jtoolbox gallery id:32}

Certified Greenhouse Farmers approved six new members from British Columbia. With these new members and those companies currently pending membership certification, CGF will grow to more than 50 greenhouse operations in Canada, Mexico and the United States this year.

The new CGF members are BJ Farms of Abbotsford, Canadian Valley Growers of Aldergrove, Delta View Farms of Delta, Peppertree Farms of Abbotsford, Sunnybay Greenhouse of Delta and Millennium Pacific of Delta.