WASHINGTON — Apple growers that ship bulk products to Canada for reprocessing or repacking would save up to $500,000 a year by not paying an additional U.S. inspection fee if an amendment that passed the Senate Agriculture Committee May 14 along with the 2013 farm bill becomes law.

The Senate Agriculture Committee took a little over three hours to pass the 2013 farm bill (S. 954) by a 15-5 vote, and the legislation may be on the Senate floor for a vote as early as the week of May 20.

SAN DIEGO – The United Fresh Produce Association shattered its goal of donating 350 salad bars to schools in California when it announced that 436 schools would receive salad bars as a result of a passionate fundraising effort by key members of the association.

SAN DIEGO — As attendees teemed through the aisles May 15 during the first day of the United Fresh 2013 trade show, here, they had a chance to view the latest offerings from marketers, manufacturers and service providers from across the country and around the world. Below is a snapshot of the people and products that helped create some of the excitement.

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VIDALIA, GA – Retailers and consumers alike anxiously await the beginning of the Vidalia onion season – and with good reason. The world-famous onion virtually created the sweet onion category and, retailers say, drives the deal and has spurred 12-month consumer demand for sweet onions.

“The European Flavors promotional program is in the final year of its second three-year term,” Nick Pacia, vice president of A.J. Trucco Inc., located at the Hunts Point Terminal Market, told The Produce News.

“All of our promotional projects will be completed by next February,” he said. “We believe they will then renew the project for another term because it has been hugely successful, but they will do it a little differently. They will likely expand the scope to other countries such as Russia and other Asian nations.”

Ciro Porricelli, vice president of Jerry Porricelli Produce, located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market, told The Produce News that the company is celebrating 15 years in business this year, but that the family has several generations of experience in the produce industry.

“I named the business after my grandfather, who was known by ‘Jerry,’” said Mr. Porricelli.