Dole Fresh vegetables announces voluntary recall of Dole packaged salads
SALINAS, CA -- Dole Fresh Vegetables, a division of Dole Food Co. Inc., announced that it is cooperating with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Minnesota and California departments of health regarding an investigation of an outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7, between Sept. 13, and Sept. 19, in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota.
WGA and FFVA announce strategic partnership
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association based in Maitland and Western Growers Association in Irvine, CA, announced Sept. 28 that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will increase cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of some member services between their organizations.
Driscoll on pace to have all its growers obtain EurepGap certification by end of this year
In an initiative that dates back to 2003, Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates expects to have all its growers meet EurepGap certification by the end of 2005, regardless of the region in which they operate.
Philadelphia market site formally announced
PHILADELPHIA -- "The produce building will begin about here."
It was an extraordinary bus tour. The "street beneath the wheels of the big bus was the now-unused runway of Philadelphia's abandoned navy yard. The brambles to the right will be converted into the world's most modern fresh produce market before 2008.
Sonny DiCrecchio, executive director of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, was the tour guide. Aboard the bus were Philadelphia's produce merchants.
Ken Green and A&P part ways
Continuing its restructuring and downsizing, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., based in Montvale, NJ, ended its employment relationship with Ken Green, vice president of produce merchandising, as well as a number of other people at that level, on Monday, Sept. 26.
MyPyramid for Kids welcomed by produce industry
WASHINGTON -- The produce industry hailed the new food pyramid's children-only version as a great opportunity for promoting children's health, but warned against complacency in selling a healthy diet to kids.
"With most children eating less than half the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy diet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's release of MyPyramid for Kids is a positive step toward promoting children's health and fighting childhood obesity," said Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
Goodlatte introduces H-2A reform bill
WASHINGTON -- A new bill that would reform the ailing H-2A agricultural worker program was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) the week of Sept. 19.
"We need a reform of the H-2A program that promotes border security by allowing guest workers to come and go legally -- a reform that will streamline the costly and time-consuming process and establish a fair wage standard. This legislation accomplishes that," said Rep. Goodlatte.
Mushroom Council resumes promotions
The Mushroom Council in Dublin, CA, will resume national promotions on Jan. 1, 2006. "We're back in business," Jim Angelucci, chairman of the Mushroom Council, said Sept. 23.
The council received word Sept. 9 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it may resume promotional activities at the dawn of next year. The Mushroom Council lost the right to promote on June 25, 2001 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory assessments under the USDA's program for promotional activities were unconstitutional.
Secretary of ag visit highlights FFVA convention
ORLANDO, FL -- An already strong gathering of the Florida fruit and vegetable industry took on an even greater buzz as the top U.S. agriculture official paid a visit to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association convention, praising the hardworking members of the industry for their dedication and offering to be a sounding board for their concerns about the future of Florida agriculture.
Oregon potato acreage at 35,000 in 2005, down 5 percent from last season
PORTLAND, OR Oregon's potato growers are in step with the national trend to reduce total acreage, and as such this seasons planted acreage total stands at 35,000 compared to 37,000 in 2004.
In September as harvest was commencing in some parts and finishing in other areas of the state, temperatures were cooler than normal, with most of the eastern and central regions seeing lows in the 20s and 30s.
Precipitation was varied, at some stations as low as none, and Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service noted Sept. 12, "For the most part, conditions remain dry."