With favorable weather conditions and fairly strong markets, Texas shippers are heading into a heavy shipping period in a pretty good mood. Interviews with shippers of onions, melons and tropicals revealed a lot of optimism.

John McClung, president of the Texas Produce Association in Mission, TX, said that it appears to be the beginning of a pretty good season for Texas growers and shippers. While the heavy Texas melon and onion seasons are just getting underway, the reality is that the season has been going for quite some time with pretty good results.

Washington State Potato Commission Chairman Randy Mullen and Director of Trade Matt Harris participated in the historic friendship luncheon welcoming China's president, Hu Jintao, held recently in Everett, WA.

Respected dignitaries and representatives of major Washington state businesses were also in attendance. The importance of the event was evident to the two state potato commission representatives, as they were seated across from former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Robert Wegman, a pioneer of one-stop shopping who transformed his family's business into one of the nation's largest private companies, died April 20. He was 87.

Mr. Wegman, chairman of Wegmans Food Markets, died at Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted after his health deteriorated in recent days, according to a company statement. The cause of death was not disclosed.

"Until recently, Mr. Wegman kept a full schedule working in the office and enjoying his favorite pastime of visiting Wegmans stores," the statement said.

SALINAS, CA -- Though the effects of an expected national boycott and walkout of workers planned for May 1 are as yet unknown, efforts are being made here in agriculture to lessen the economic blow.

One of the larger U.S. celery producer has taken fresh-cut celery to new levels of sophistication.

"Anyone can buy celery and cut it with a knife, put it in a bag and put it on a shelf," said Bill Munger, manager of foodservice and fresh-cut sales for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., based in Oviedo, FL.

Consumers say that taste does matter. In a variety of surveys, consumers overwhelmingly select taste as a top priority when selecting produce, and seed producers have responded with a new variety of cabbage that was recently tested and released. The variety is a pointed-head, sweet cabbage that addresses the consumer preference issue of improved taste.