"The industry does a great job of collaborating on food-safety issues. Everyone shares their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the entire sector: growers, packers and shippers," Laura Phelps, president of the American Mushroom Institute in Washington, DC, said. "The Food Safety Task Force of the American Mushroom Institute has been reviewing the proposed rules that will implement the Food Safety Modernization Act, and is preparing comments to be filed by the September deadline."

Anthony Vineyards Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, has increased plantings in several grape varieties for the 2013 season, one of which is a proprietary red seedless variety called Gemma Rose.

The name chosen for Gemma Rose variety, according to John Harley, vice president of sales and marketing, is the name of a granddaughter of Anthony Vineyards President Domenick (Cookie) Bianco.

PHILADELPHIA — Most companies measure growth in percentages. To do that, 721 Logistics and its J&K East division, here, would need a pretty impressive calculator. Formed 18 months ago in a partnership with J&K Fresh of Inglewood, CA — a 50-year fixture on the West Coast — 721 has mushroomed from a mere handful of clients to a current roster of more than 200 customers.

The company has also swelled to 20 employees, with more coming on board as the business continues to grow.

Tops Friendly Markets, based in Buffalo, NY, and Salinas, CA-based Foxy Fresh Produce have jointly launched the "Foxy Dish up Something Fresh" Facebook photo contest. The contest asks Tops customers to submit a photograph of a recipe featuring Foxy Fresh Produce to the Tops Market Facebook page, and be entered for a chance to win one of multiple prizes.

WASHINGTON — After the Food & Drug Administration identified Taylor Farms de Mexico, a processor of foodservice salads, as the common supplier of salads linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, the agency said it plans to increase its surveillance of imported green leafy products from Mexico.

A record 1.5 billion pounds of avocados were consumed in the United States in 2012, reflecting an ongoing dramatic increase in demand. So far, 2013 is on track to eclipse that record.

"It seems we are going to be well over last year's numbers" for 2013, said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. He expects "definitely double digit growth."