I’m a proud member of a family that has been in the produce business for over 80 years. Things have changed as much in my family as they have in our industry, but one thing remains: the passion and desire that my great-grandfather started with in 1927 and which burns deep within me.

During annual pear meetings that took place last week in Portland, representatives of the Northwest pear industry met to project the size of the 2014 fresh pear harvest and review program strategies and tactics for the coming season. With reports of a crop of excellent quality from the Pacific Northwest growing regions of Wenatchee and Yakima, WA, and Mid-Columbia and Medford in Oregon, the total projection is showing approximately 18.7 million standard 44-pound box equivalents (or 411,400 tons) of pears for the fresh market.

Sunkist Growers is kicking off summer citrus season at United Fresh 2014, showcasing fresh recipe and usage ideas to help retailers drive consumer excitement about citrus during the warm summer months.

Jon Vessey, who grew up in Salinas, CA, in the farming business and then spent his career as a grower-shipper in the Imperial Valley, died on Saturday, June 7, of complications from leukemia.

As with many commodities in California this year, the start of the melon season on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley — also known as the Central Valley — will be earlier than normal. Some growers expect a start as much as two weeks early, and some just a few days early.

Six Treasure Valley onion-grower entities recently formed Murakami Growers LLC and purchased the Murakami Produce Co. LLC membership of retired owner David Murakami.