WASHINGTON — Different standards for packinghouses under the Food Safety Modernization Act based on their location will cause confusion within the industry and are not science-based, produce industry groups told officials at the Food & Drug Administration during a Thursday public meeting on FSMA changes.

Under the FDA's current interpretation of FSMA, on-farm packinghouses would need to meet produce safety standards, but off-farm operations, which must register with the FDA, would have to meet more extensive and costly preventive control requirements.

Todd R. Schnuck has taken over as chairman and chief executive officer of Schnuck Markets Inc., and Anthony T. Hucker has been named president and chief operating officer — the first non-family member to hold this office — of the St. Louis-based company.

The title change finalizes the transition to Todd Schnuck from former CEO Scott Schnuck, who now serves as chairman of the executive committee.

Locus Traxx Worldwide, a leader in real-time temperature, location and security monitoring for perishable and high-value shipments in transit, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Paramount Citrus, one of the largest fresh citrus growers in the western United States. This integration will boost efficiency, visibility and live load temperature and location tracking into Paramount's transportation management system solution.

Baker Farms can grow its mainstay premium greens like kale and collards year-round at its Norman Park, GA, farms, but when it comes to Southern vegetables from beets to zucchini, brothers Terry and Joe Baker turn to their Florida operations to cover retail, wholesale and foodservice needs around the calendar.

“We have just started harvesting some squash, peppers and cucumbers in Plant City, Florida,” Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers, headquartered in Cheriton, VA, told The Produce News Oct. 30. “We’re on the wind-down in Georgia this week, and we’re also finishing up Virginia this week. The transition of a lot of other items from Georgia to Florida will start moving very fast next week, including specialty peppers.”

The Sunshine State has a lot to brag about when it comes to production of fresh produce. “Florida’s unique advantage is that we are the predominant U.S. source for fresh-market vegetables in the fall, winter and early spring months,” said Thomas Perny, marketing specialist with the Division of Marketing & Development, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. “Our favorable winter climate facilitates growing a wide variety of vegetables during a time when most states are experiencing cold conditions.