Columbia Marketing International, headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, believes it has hit a home run with the introduction of its new two-pound stand-up fruit pouch.

"They have a rich premium look," Vice President of Marketing Bob Mast told The Produce News on Sept. 21. The bag will be one of several new items to be rolled out at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in October.

A final decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the suspension agreement for Mexican tomatoes will reopen a dispute between the trading partners, result in a loss of jobs on both sides of the border and increase prices for consumers, warned Ricardo Alday, spokesman for the Mexican Embassy.

Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, told The Produce News that between 55 percent and 60 percent of the nation's crop is produced in the state.

Monterey Mushroom Inc., headquartered in Watsonville, CA, is continuing the national roll out of its sustainable packaging with nutritional and recipe information for consumers.

“This product is getting great consumer response and is currently available from all our locations,” said Joe Caldwell, vice president of the company. “About 30 percent of our retail partners have converted to this package. We also continue to highlight the quality and great variety of mushrooms that we offer.”

Jason Bell, account manager for Tater Man in Sydney, FL, told The Produce News that the company started digging sweet potatoes in Florida on July 9, and finished there in mid-September, well ahead of its normal harvest period.

“Just as Florida was wrapping up, we started digging in Georgia, which was also early,” said Mr. Bell. “That harvest will end around the first of October. We have less acreage in Georgia, so it goes considerably faster.”

Eva Dawson, director of sales and food safety for Dawson Farms in Delhi, LA, told The Produce News that the company began harvesting Aug. 25, which was about three weeks earlier than normal.

“We had optimal spring weather that helped the plants to size up nicely,” said Ms. Dawson. “And we had extremely good moisture when the plants needed it, and Hurricane Isaac helped out quite a bit. These factors combined gave us a nice jump on the season.”