Canary melons from Brazil are scheduled to begin arriving in the United States in early October, and the North American marketer of the product said that it is expecting a good volume of high-quality melons this season.

This represents the fourth year of U.S. distribution for the melons, which are grown by Itaueira Farms and marketed under the "REI" brand.

The melons are grown in three Brazilian states, according to Rodrigo Lima of Crown International USA LLC,

PALM BEACH, FL -- The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association left no stone unturned at its 68th annual convention, held at the Ritz Carlton here Sept. 18-21, tackling tough issues like labor and immigration, water and other natural resources, government regulation and pestilence with a power-packed series of panels and workshops featuring some of the industry's bigger hitters.

NASHVILLE -- The Southeast Produce Council has been true to its mission and is in excellent health in terms of both membership and finances, SPC President John Shuman told attendees of the council's annual fall conference, held Sept. 23-25 here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Big Box Farms, a New York City-based start-up company, has introduced what it calls breakthrough agricultural technology that will offer retailers and foodservice operators the ability to provide customers the freshest packaged salad products, sold 24 hours after harvest.

Tony DiMare (left) receives FFVA's 2011 Distinguished Service Award from FFVA Chairman Drew Duda.

MAITLAND,

WASHINGTON -- Legislation that would require employers to use E-Verify to check worker’s legal status passed the House Judiciary Committee Sept. 21 without much relief for agricultural producers.

The Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2885) passed the committee by a 22-to-13 vote without any amendments that would have carved out agricultural producers from the measure. At this time, the measure is not scheduled for House floor action.