There are many factors to be considered in selecting a strawberry variety for planting. Certainly yield per acre is an important consideration, for at today’s high input costs, low yields would make almost any farming venture economically unsustainable. Shelf life is also important, particularly for a strawberry crop grow in California for customers on the East Coast.

But at Santa Cruz Berry Farming Co. LLC, the first criterion is flavor, according to Fritz Koontz, managing partner.

J.T. Guida, president of Pexco Produce Sales in Pompano Beach, FL, said the company has held onto its superior rating of 98 percent from PrimusLabs since its first rating several years ago.

“We are now getting superior ratings from the more intensive Primus program; Primus GFS,” Guida told The Produce News. “This rating is geared toward packinghouses and consolidation facilities, and many chain retailers are requiring it today.”

The company’s value-added program, which it started a few years ago, continues to gain in popularity with its customers.

Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association unveiled a national movement — ‘eat brighter!’ — applying the strength and influence of the "Sesame Street" brand and its beloved characters to inspire children ages 2 to 5, and their parents and caregivers, to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The ‘eat brighter!’ tagline draws parallels between the characteristics of the "Sesame Street" brand and fresh fruits and vegetables — like healthy, brilliant and alive.

A judge's mid-March ruling overturning Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black's mandate that no Vidalia onions can be packed or shipped prior to April 21 will have no bearing on this year's crop, which has been delayed by cool weather.

Fresh Express Inc. has issued a recall of a limited number of cases of 10-ounce Italian Salad with an already-expired use-by date due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall and no other Fresh Express products are being recalled.

The company is confirming with retailers that the expired product has already been removed from store shelves and inventories in accordance with its strict procedures for products that have reached their expiration date.

Paramount Export Co., embarking on its 75th year as a leading importer and exporter of quality fresh produce, announced the addition of Jim Stewart as its domestic sales manager.