The nation's apple harvest is in full swing, and that means that National Apple Month has kicked off its fall display contest.

The retail display contest brings the apple industry's fall generic apple promotions front and center for all consumers to enjoy. For many consumers, the apple displays will be the next best thing to being in the orchard and selecting the fruit from the tree.

ANAHEIM, CA -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's overhaul of its 5 to 10 a Day program and its new Passion for Produce mentoring program are among the new initiatives on which the association is working to benefit the produce industry.

The aftermath of last week's Japanese typhoon gained strength as it traveled eastward over the Pacific Ocean and slammed into California's Central Coast Tuesday, Oct. 13.

A storm of this magnitude typically arrives mid-winter when there are no local crops being harvested. Heavy winds and rain started early Oct. 13 and continued all day.

WASHINGTON -- A group of some 50 produce industry leaders from every stage of the supply chain have come together to begin work on a major initiative to drive harmonization of standards and audits for Good Agricultural Practices.

The group was convened following widespread interest in harmonization voiced by industry leaders at the Global Conference on Produce Food Safety Standards, held in conjunction with the United Fresh Produce Association convention in April.

ANAHEIM, CA -- Produce and floral suppliers from across the United States and around the world donated an estimated 243,000 pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers Oct. 14 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

The donation -- made by companies exhibiting at the Produce Marketing Association's 60th anniversary Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition at the Anaheim Convention Center -- is the largest fresh produce donation received to date by the food bank.

ANAHEIM, CA -- Ecuador's mango industry has dropped acreage and increased production in the last six years. Such efficiency is key to the industry, according to Bernardo Malo, president of the Guayaquil-based Mango Ecuador Foundation.

In 2003, Ecuadorian growers utilized 20,000 acres of mangos; by 2009 that number had dropped to about 13,800 acres, according to Mr. Malo.