Belgian-based Delhaize Group has hired Lazard Ltd. to handle the sale of Harveys and Sweetbay, two of its U.S. banners, according to two anonymous sources in a Reuters report.

In the article, Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Oliver Beckers did not comment on Lazard or any other advisors being involved in a potential sale, but he confirmed that the company was looking at options for the banners.

Jack Wallace, co-owner of G&D Wallace Inc./Wallace Farms in Burlington, WA, said agricultural producers in the region will deal with the effects of a bridge collapse on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River on Thursday as they would any other problem thrown their way.

“Farmers are used to dealing with obstacles. It’s going to make it more difficult,” Wallace told The Produce News the morning of May 25. “We can work around it.” The company grows and markets conventional red, white, gold and purple potatoes as well as organic red and russet potatoes in the Skagit Valley.

As in past years, New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing & Development is providing New Jersey’s fruit and vegetable industry with vital and expert inspection and grading services. Working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NJDA’s inspectors work with brokers, shippers, dealers, processors and farmers throughout the state.

The 2013 produce season is underway and should be highlighted by good quantities of high-quality produce.

Nice weather has had a significant impact on the growing conditions for spring Jersey Fresh produce. Our seasonably cool spring got everything off to a slow early start. Spring was a little moister than usual, as well.

This weather caused many growers to delay getting seed or transplanting into the soil and discouraged more plowing and planting. We saw more gradual growing conditions and bee pollination this spring.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture requires any person buying or receiving produce from New Jersey growers on a credit basis to be licensed and bonded. Security must be filed with the department in an amount relating to the value of their credit purchases. The security is meant to provide financial protection to New Jersey producers in the event of a default on payment.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture takes pride in the fact that our state’s produce is as fresh as fresh gets.

That has been our marketing slogan for the past several years and will continue to be an underlying theme in the Department’s communications with consumers and retailers. But this season, our marketing message is that Jersey Fresh is consistently great, year after year. In 2013, Jersey Fresh is having “Another Great Season.”