Blue Diamond Growers' global almond sales soared to $1.2 billion, up $189 million in fiscal year 2012-13. Value-added sales volume increased by 14 percent, even with a crop that was 7 percent smaller, according to Mark Jansen, president and chief executive officer, who addressed the cooperative's grower owners at the 103rd annual meeting.

C.H. Robinson has teamed up with Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11 to create a one-day food and fund drive called the KARE 11 Food Fight. The unique collaboration aims to fight hunger in Minnesota with all donations benefitting Second Harvest Heartland. During the 2013 event, more than 860,000 pounds of food was collected.

To the editor,

The Alliance for Food & Farming, a non-profit group founded to deliver credible information to consumer about the safety of fruits and vegetables, recently launched its newly updated website — www.foodandfarming.info.

Energy and excitement are running high in Washington apple orchards this season. Producers such as Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, expect careful long-range planning to pay significant dividends — fruit of exceptional volume, quality and size — in the coming years.

Suzanne Wolter, director of marketing for Rainier Fruit Co., said apples provide the kind of lift that benefits both the category and overall produce department sales.