Fresh commodity producers have an opportunity to heighten consumer knowledge and gain brand recognition through their participation in the Pride of New York program. "The program was created in 1996 to raise awareness about New York," Tim Pezzolesi, manager of markets and promotions of the New York state Department of Agriculture & Markets, told The Produce News June 13.

Commissaries competed to put the pear on a pedestal this season in a display contest sponsored by Pear Bureau Northwest, which honored first-place winners with a trip to the 2011 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention and exposition.

Freshway Foods, based in Sidney, OH, announced June 22 the rollout of its new "Snack Takes" personal size healthy snack line. These on-the-go treats are available in both fruit and vegetable blends and each includes a signature dip for an added punch of fun and flavor.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- The first breakbulk vessel of the 2011 South African citrus season began discharging June 20 at the Gloucester Marine Fruit Terminal, here. In recent weeks, smaller volumes of South African citrus arrived by container at Port Elizabeth, NJ.

WASHINGTON -- A government spending bill (H.R. 2112) that would gut the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school nutrition standards and remove funding for the Microbiological Data Program passed the House of Representatives the week of June 13. The Senate has yet to take up the spending bill.

FRESNO, CA — The California Table Grape Commission, here, has completed production on two of three new television commercials “that will go into the mix on the Food Network” in early to mid-July, according to Jim Howard, vice president of the commission. Each commercial will feature a different award-winning celebrity chef.