In what has become its most popular event of the year, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council attracted more than 750 participants to its annual Day at the Races activity on Saturday, March 8 at the famous Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, CA.

This family-friendly event featured fun, activities, food and mingling for the whole family. Kids could play in the grassy infield area as adults tried their luck at picking the ponies.

The Texas onion deal will be a little late out of the gate this season but growers will get some help extending that season with a new later start date for Vidalia onion growers.

Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Fyffes plc announced that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Chiquita will combine with Fyffes to form ChiquitaFyffes. The agreement creates a global banana and fresh produce company with approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenues. Chiquita and Fyffes plan to complete the transaction before the end of 2014.

Ed Lonergan, Chiquita's chief executive officer, will serve as chairman; David McCann, executive chairman of Fyffes, will become CEO of the combined company.

Twenty years ago, there was virtually no commercial production of blueberries in the state of Florida, except for U-pick farms and berries grown for local markets. This year, some experts said Florida’s blueberry production may reach 25 million pounds, putting the state in the ranks of other leading producers like North Carolina, Georgia, California and Oregon.

The tie-in over the past year with “The Biggest Loser” television show continues to pay dividends for Grimmway Farms and create touch points with consumers, though the show’s finale aired in early February.

Nelly Yunta, vice president of sales, marketing and customer care, liner and logistics business groups for Crowley Maritime Corporation in Jacksonville, FL, and vice president of Customized Brokers, the customs brokerage and consulting division located in Miami, told The Produce News that the port strikes in South America are definitely affecting exports this season.