IRVINE, CA -- The California Avocado Commission unveiled an exciting new web-based consumer promotion, "Celebrate Cinco and Win." Designed to increase demand of fresh California avocados during the key Cinco de Mayo sales period, the innovative promotion is highlighted by a compelling Cinco de Mayo sweepstakes site showcased at the California Avocado Commission web site, avocado.org.

AgriCap Financial Corp. in Los Angeles was founded about six years ago by two finance veterans to provide financial services to agricultural enterprises -- a business sector that banks and other lending institutions often shy away from, according to Rick Jones, president of AgriCap.

"Many lenders consider agriculture too risky," he said. So why has AgriCap been successful in a field perceived as too risky by many competitors? "In a nutshell, we understand the industry well, so we are better at it," he said.

Market Fresh Produce, based in Lee's Summit, MO, has launched a new onion program with state-of-the-art packaging. The program includes suppliers from Vidalia, GA, California, Texas, Walla Walla, WA, and offshore product from Mexico and Peru.

Market Fresh started shipping product April 9. The program offers euro display-ready packaging in both bulk and mesh bags.

Market Fresh offers both foodservice and retailers contract pricing and says it remains committed to consumer-driven programs that maximize sales and consumption of fresh produce.

GUATEMALA CITY -- Specialty products are new on the product list of S. Katzman Produce Inc. The Bronx firm's organic and specialties specialist, Eric Mitchnick, was recently in Guatemala to look for sources of such products.

Mr. Mitchnick joined Katzman in February after a stint with Earthbound Farm in San Juan Bautista, CA.

Katzman Produce recently acquired five units on Row D of the Hunts Point Terminal Market, which will be used to sell organic and specialty produce.

The message is clear: Employers who "knowingly and recklessly employ illegal aliens" will be targeted by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement and will be punished.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary for ICE, announced Thursday, April 20 a "comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy for the nation's interior" that includes a crackdown on employers hiring illegal immigrants.

In 2005, the California cherry crop, statewide, was about 3.5 million packages (18-pound equivalent) for all varieties, according to the 2005 Annual Report of the California Cherry Advisory Board. That was about half of a potential full crop, and it is just about the same as the total volume expected this year, according to the cherry board's manager, Jim Culbertson.

"We are hoping for something greater than that, but that remains to be seen," he said.