WASHINGTON -- One of the larger organic certifying companies was banned from operating in China June 14 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the company used inspectors employed by the Chinese government for third-party inspections.

Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. announced in mid-June the launch of "Buy a bunch, lose a bunch," an integrated marketing campaign that aims to engage consumers with Del Monte's motto, "Eat healthy, live healthy."

The initiative focuses on bananas, the most purchased fresh fruit by U.S. consumers, as an affordable diet staple to lose and maintain weight. "Buy a bunch, lose a bunch" kicks off the first day of summer, when consumers are looking to trim extra pounds and get into great shape for summertime fun.

BONITA SPRINGS, FL -- Philosophers have long pondered, "If a tree falls in the forest, and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?" What Florida citrus growers want to know is, "If an advertising campaign is created and executed, but no one sees it, does it have an impact?"

In late 2007, the Florida Citrus Commission announced that TV star Tom Selleck of "Magnum, P.I." fame had agreed to lend his voice to the industry's advertising campaign, with the theme, "Florida orange juice -- healthy, pure and simple."

More than $10,000 was raised for local charities earlier in June through a golf tournament featuring the Philadelphia produce industry.

The Philadelphia chapter of the United Fresh Produce Association held the ninth annual Louis Penza Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament June 11 at the Medford Village Country Club. Participating Philadelphia Regional Produce Market operators, suppliers and guests numbered 92, creating 23 foursomes.

After a long search, Atlanta-based General Produce Inc. has opened its new cross-dock facility in Thomasville, GA, enabling the company to extend its overnight reach throughout the Southeast.

The new facility replaces an outdated cross-dock in Cairo, GA, and "will allow the company to grow our business in Florida, Alabama and south Georgia," Andrew Scott, sales and procurement manager for General Produce, told The Produce News.

"If you put it all together, we can reach 11 states overnight and the Caribbean," added George Wiley, the firm's retail sales manager.

In Cape Town, South Africa, a Seatrade refrigerated breakbulk vessel bearing the season's first South African citrus bound for the United States was loaded May 25 and is due to dock June 24 in the port of Philadelphia.