California's strawberry growers have taken a hit this season with an inordinate amount of rain. But though Mother Nature packs a punch, growers have been able to stay on their feet.

"Its been a challenge," said Tim Youmans, national retail sales manager for Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates. Theres been a loss in production thats impacting retailers. The uncertainty of supplies has affected retailers ability to market the berries, he said.

The Dispute Resolution Corp. and Blue Book Services jointly announced plans to reconfigure their six-year working arrangement whereby Blue Book Services had provided trading assistance services on the DRC's behalf to its members.

By mid-summer 2005, the DRC will independently provide such services to its members located in Canada, the United States and Mexico from its Ottawa, ON, headquarters. DRC and Blue Book Services will continue to build on their strong working relationship as they enter into this new phase of their strategic alliance.

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.