The National Mango Board has announced the winners of the Mango Mania Display Contest and reports an increase of 138 percent mango volume among participating stores compared to the same time last year.

It’s a non-stop harvest in the vineyards as Jakov P. Dulcich & Sons’ Green and Red Emerald, Scarlet Royal, Autumn Royal, Autumn King, Luisco, Crimson, Vintage and Red Globe grape varieties are being picked and packed. Due to the hot summer, the brix are up, the crunch is strong and the taste is exceptional.

“Overall, the grape eating quality is at premium status,” said Nick Dulcich, president of Sunlight International. “If weather permits, the season will go all the way into January, increasing the availability of green, red and black grapes for the year.”

The Louisiana State University AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station is the only center in the United States, and possibly in the world, that is dedicated solely to sweet potato research and development.

Tara Smith, director of the center, explained to The Produce News that the station, established in 1949, is involved in all aspects of sweet potato production, including developing new seed varieties, increased technology and insect, virus and disease control.

Chef Sokun and her husband, Guillaume Slama, own five successful restaurants in North Carolina. But their journey to this point is one that reaps of hardship, determination and what Guillaume calls “positive karma.”

Chef Sokun’s story starts in 1975 when her parents and three of their four children, including Sokun, were forced to flee to the jungle during the chaos as the Khmer Rouge went on a killing rampage.

Bill Litvin Sr., vice president of sales for Giorgio Fresh, headquartered in Blandon, PA, said the company will be featuring its new line of stuffed Baby Bellas as well as its line of organic mushrooms at Booth No. 438 at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit.

“These are our newest products,” said Litvin. “Giorgio offers a variety of tasty stuffed Baby Bella mushrooms, including cheese and imitation bacon bits, imitation flavored crab and Parmesan cheese, and artichokes and spinach. They are packed four, 8.5-ounce to a carton.”

BALTIMORE — Maryland-based East Coast Fresh Cuts and Mars Super Markets, the first supplier-retailer team to jump on board the "eat brighter" campaign, showcased fresh produce branded with Sesame Street characters Sept. 24 at a Baltimore store alongside students from a nearby elementary school.

The 'eat brighter!' movement offers royalty-free access to Sesame Street characters and was forged by Produce Marketing Association, Sesame Workshop and the Partnership for a Healthier America.