WASHINGTON -- Fruit and vegetable companies will continue to sell to schools that must meet improved nutrition standards thanks to a deal cut in the FY 2015 omnibus spending bill signed Dec. 16 by President Obama.

The appropriations bill that funds U.S. Department of Agriculture programs hit a roadblock when an amendment passed that would have allowed schools struggling to meet the strict standards to be granted a waiver. 

Sunkist has released a new Citrus Hacks video that focuses on its S’alternative program, which is aimed at educating consumers on how they can reduce sodium intake by seasoning their food with fresh lemon.

RedLine Solutions, a leader in inventory and traceability solutions, and Roambee Corp., a supplier of high-quality tracking services, announced a partnership to provide customers with real-time tracking and monitoring solutions of produce shipments.

Roambee chose RedLine Solutions to offer customers in fresh produce full in-transit visibility and condition monitoring for shipments of perishable goods. RedLine already offers a comprehensive lineup of products and services to enable produce traceability and inventory management.

The Produce Mom announced the addition of North Bay Produce Inc. to her family of trusted partners. North Bay offers its customers a year-round supply of a variety of fresh produce, thanks to its network of domestic and Latin American growers.

RIO RICO, AZ — After a rough fall start in the melon business, Miguel (Miky) Suarez is looking forward to a fresh start in the new year.

The owner of MAS Melons & Grapes LLC, headquartered here, said his firm’s December melon production will still be affected by two August hurricanes striking West Mexico growing areas. Northern Mexico will provide MAS with some melons, before the firm moves to growers in southern Mexico in the first days of January.