I just recently attended a meeting with the new (as in recently appointed) Canadian deputy minister of agriculture. Also attending was a significant number of Canadian Agri-Food Industry association managers.

I was struck that the common theme amongst all was: How do we more effectively communicate and consult with the agricultural department?

What was reassuring was that it was a common theme. In fairness, this issue isn't only with that single government department, or indeed with the private sector.

I just recently attended a meeting with the new (as in recently appointed) Canadian deputy minister of agriculture. Also attending was a significant number of Canadian Agri-Food Industry association managers.

I was struck that the common theme amongst all was: How do we more effectively communicate and consult with the agricultural department?

What was reassuring was that it was a common theme. In fairness, this issue isn't only with that single government department, or indeed with the private sector.

PHILADELPHIA - "The cold chain" is a catch phrase in the produce industry, and no one denies its benefits to fresh produce.

As the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market develops a design for its new market, initial plans called for entirely maintaining a cold chain to please the most heat-sensitive of any fresh produce commodities.

Agribuys in Torrance, CA, which describes itself as the leading provider of supply chain management software and services to the global perishable foods industry, and Foodconnex Worldwide in Roseville, CA, a provider of technology to companies in the perishables and food retail markets, announced May 2 that they have merged to form FoodLink Online.

WASHINGTON - Some agricultural producers have raised concerns about a new regulation that requires U.S. shippers to be paid for food and other goods destined for Cuba before shipments leave U.S. ports.

The U.S. Treasury Department changed its regulations Feb. 22 and now authorizes all exports to Cuba only if payment is received by the seller before the shipment of goods leave the U.S. port.