WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) predicted a five-year farm bill would be in conference this month despite delays caused by the government shutdown.

Denham was the only lawmaker to appear at the Oct. 2 closing day of United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference, a session that was scheduled to end at 2 p.m. but ended at 10 a.m.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — A variety of events, including informative workshops, a keynote speech from a legendary football coach, receptions, parties, a dinner-dance and a golf tournament, all combined with a new venue to make the Southeast Produce Council’s 2014 fall conference a success.

Close to 300 people attended this year’s annual fall conference, held Sept. 25-28, here, at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, according to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees.

Máximo Rodriguez, owner of Atlantic Tropical Market in Hoboken, NJ, died Oct. 1, surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for and loved. He was 67.

Tops Friendly Markets, a full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, announced a partnership with the National Mango Board to offer an exclusive savings offer for customers who follow the company on Twitter.

New and current Twitter followers will automatically receive a direct message from the Tops Friendly Markets produce twitter account, @TopsProduce, providing them with a coupon for 50 cents off their next purchase of a mango from their local Tops Friendly Markets produce department.

The National Mango Board will host its annual Mango Industry Reception Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5:30-7:30 at PMA's Fresh Summit in New Orleans, with a strong focus on food safety for the mango industry.

This outreach event brings members of all levels of the mango supply chain from across the world to connect and network. The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas is also a host of the event.

The Pear Bureau Northwest, the nonprofit marketing organization that represents the 1,600 fresh pear growers in Oregon and Washington, has named Ingles as its 2013 Pear Retailer of the Year for its outstanding pear merchandising program.

Ingles is being recognized with this award due to its successful implementation of pear merchandising tactics that resulted in an 86 percent increase in pear sales over the past year. By implementing proven pear merchandising strategies, Ingles has taken advantage of the profit opportunity that pears have to offer.