In mid-May, Clarito Barron, director of the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry, announced that a work plan between the agency and the United States had been approved to move highland Cavendish bananas to the U.S. beginning in June. The Philippines is one of the largest global exporters of bananas, and the agreement marks its entry into the American marketplace.

Norcross, GA-based RockTenn, one of North America’s leading vertically integrated packaging manufacturers, has introduced a pair of products that can provide produce shippers substantial savings on materials and freight, as well as allow for better packouts and more product per pallet.

The unique challenges faced by the organic category are gaining recognition from the federal government.

On May 14, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed member-attendees of the Organic Trade Association's Policy Conference in Washington, DC. In his speech he officially recognized the unique production system covering U.S. organic agriculture, and announced guidance to remove agency obstacles to its continued growth.

JORDAN COHN recently joined Modena, NY-based Stanley Orchards Sales as a full-time sales representative.

By pretty much any measure, mango movement has been impressive over the last few years. Volume continues to increase and the f.o.b. prices are remaining fairly strong.

According to Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales and a partner in Vision Import Group LLC in River Edge, NJ, it’s time for some better packaging to continue the sales gains of this tropical fruit.

VINELAND, NJ — Jay Krichmar, president of Krichmar Produce Co., was evaluating the cool weather pattern that had marked the early spring in New Jersey and how it was affecting the crops so far this year when The Produce News visited him in mid-May.

“This year started slow, but the weather will come on and we’ll catch up like that,” he said with a snap of his fingers.

Even with the cool spring, Krichmar said May 15 that lettuce “was starting to come in” and would get more plentiful during the next few weeks. Herbs “were pretty plentiful,” he added.