The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its final forecast Thursday, pegging the 2012-13 Florida orange crop at 133.4 million boxes, down 9 percent from last season.

There are 66.3 million boxes of Valencias, down 700,000 boxes; early-mid varieties climbed 100,000 boxes to 67.1 million.

Harvest of the 2013 California garlic crop both in the San Joaquin Valley and in the Gilroy area were just getting under way in early July, but strong demand was paving the way for an optimistic outlook for the season.

"So far, the crop looks very good," said Bill Christopher, president of Christopher Ranch LLC in Gilroy. "Last year, yields were down a little bit. This year, yields are going to be average to good," and the size of the garlic is also good, "so there will be plenty of fresh California garlic for the market this coming year."

Longtime Colorado potato grower and industry icon Thomas R. Ford died June 25 in East Wenatchee, WA, from an apparent heart attack while traveling to the National Potato Council Summer Meeting in Walla Walla. He was 81.

Born July 18, 1931, in Carmel, CO, Mr. Ford married the former Donna Dee Belt in 1951, and the couple made their home in the San Luis Valley where he farmed potatoes and barley for more than five decades.

California Giant Berry Farms is tapping into the growing network of food bloggers by hosting a contest that will ultimately result in gaining a new set of brand ambassadors.

By hosting a contest specific to food bloggers, California Giant hopes to extend its reach to consumers continuing to build brand loyalty and participate in new exciting recipes created by foodies at home in their own kitchens.

A lot has changed since the concept of the Produce Traceability Initiative burst on the scene a half-dozen years ago. At the time, case labeling every carton with a code that could be read up and down the supply chain appeared to be a daunting task, but now experts say it isn’t that difficult at all — and is much less expensive than first imagined.

Dan Vaché, vice president of supply chain management for the United Fresh Produce Association, said the technology providers have worked through the issues and have solutions for shippers and retailers and everyone in between.  

WASHINGTON —The House narrowly passed, by a 216-208 vote, a stripped-down farm bill for the first time without the nutrition title, an unorthodox move fiercely criticized by House Democrats but praised by specialty crop producers if it gets a five-year farm policy bill into conference with the Senate.