The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its new Smart Snacks in School standards that seek to improve the nutritional quality of foods and beverages offered for sale to students in schools.

"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. "Parents and schools work hard to give our youngsters the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars will support their great efforts."

WASHINGTON—The agricultural industry wasted no time hailing the Senate for passing, by a 68-32 vote, an immigration reform bill on June 27, but the focus quickly shifts to the House and a July 10 meeting where the House Republican leadership will carve out next steps for immigration reform.

Ciruli Bros. LLC recently unveiled a new website as part of its ongoing efforts to boost consumer education about fresh mangos.

"Our intent with the new www.champagnemango.com is to provide our customers with more information about mangos, including selection tips and preparation ideas so they can be better acquainted with the fruit and help drive more sales," Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of Nogales, AZ-based Ciruli Bros., said in a press release.

New Yorkers almost forgot what city they were in this week as they experienced a real grass tennis court, tennis pros, and real fresh strawberries and cream right in the middle of Manhattan.

California Giant Berry Farms, based in Watsonville, CA, partnered with HSBC Bank to bring the complete Wimbledon experience to locals and tourists in downtown Manhattan across from Madison Square Park facing the iconic Flat Iron Building.

It’s no secret that the Hass avocado is the darling of the world. More than 50 years ago, California growers began planting the variety and Mexico followed suit as it eyed the U.S. market, as did Peru and Chile. Colombia began adding Hass acreage to its prodigious supply of native avocados about a decade ago, and it is now also trying to gain access to the lucrative U.S. marketplace.

But is the Hass avocado really the only avocado that consumers will eat?

T.J. Runyan, owner of Mesilla Valley Produce LLC in Las Cruces, NM, said the company’s onion volume this season will be comparable to 2012. “It has been a good growing season weather-wise so far,” he told The Produce News.

“I expect volume to be very comparable to last year. I expect size to be a little smaller than normal on the front end of the deal. But it will improve as the season progresses,” he said.