Contrary to an Associated Press story on Sept. 2 and other published reports, the melon grower-exporter Agropecuaria Montelibano in Puerto Cortes, Honduras, remains on import alert.

WASHINGTON -- With Congress and the White House poised to change after November, this year's Washington Public Policy Conference comes at a critical time as Congress and the next administration -- no matter who wins -- are likely to change food-safety regulations.

"Any election year is important, but this one is mega important for the produce industry," said Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Produce Association, which hosts a Washington lobbying blitz every September.

Last year marked the first year that the late-season green seedless Pristine table grape was on the market in significant volume. This year's return engagement shapes up to be even more impressive.

The flavor profile for the large, crispy grape starts with a sweet vanilla streak and ends with a zesty Granny Smith apple finish. The unique Pristine variety was developed by Delano, CA-based Anton Caratan & Son after more than 20 years and more than 225,000 crossbreeds.

NAPLES, FL - One might think that Reggie Brown would be upset about the Florida tomato industry these days, but in fact, he is actually quite upbeat about it.

Mr. Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee, told The Produce News before the 2008 Florida Tomato Institute, held here Sept. 3 at the Ritz- Carlton Naples as part of the 33rd Joint Tomato Conference, that in spite of the Salmonella scare that decimated tomato sales, "I think the industry is relatively stable. Except for the last 90 days, we had a pretty good year."

It was an ironic twist of fate that brought Thomas Darlington into the cranberry and blueberry industries.

Mr. Darlington was an engineer by trade and was working in 1950 for the Westinghouse Co. designing jet engines when his brother Joseph was killed in a plane crash.

Mr. Darlington was expected to take his brother's place running the family's cranberry and blueberry operation, Joseph J. White Inc., and although he was not a farmer, he immediately went to work creating several pieces of machinery that would help make harvesting the fruits easier.

Recent weeks have brought good news and bad news with regard to agriculture pests in California as an Oriental fruit fly infestation was announced less than two weeks after the Mediterranean fruit fly was declared eradicated from the state.

A joint release from the California Department of Food & Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Aug. 14 that the Medfly had been eradicated and that quarantines in place since 2007 in parts of Santa Clara, Solano and Los Angeles counties were being lifted.