Produce News Facebook  Produce News Twitter  Produce News LinkedIn  Produce News Instagram

Daniel McClure, president of West Coast Tomato, dies at 80

Daniel Peyton McClure, president and chief operating officer of West Coast Tomato Inc. and McClure Farms in Palmetto, FL, died Sept. 23 at his home in Bradenton, FL, after a battle with liver cancer. He was 80 years old.

A lifetime resident of Manatee County, he was born Feb. 8, 1926 in Palmetto to Versenoia Thomas McClure and John Niel McClure Sr.

He graduated from Palmetto High School and the University of Florida, where he received a degree in finance and economics. He served in the U.S. Navy.

Beckman, others out as CTC moves forward with downsizing

FRESNO, CA -- As reported last week in The Produce News, at its board of directors meetings and executive sessions held Sept. 19 in Sacramento, the California Tomato Commission, here, decided to downsize the state commodity commission effective immediately, a cutback which will eliminate the marketing and government affairs program and retain only the research program, which focuses on seed varieties and pest management.

Trade groups race to craft food safety plan

WASHINGTON -- Spinach growers are watching time run out as speculation continues on the cause of the spinach outbreak and what should be done to fix it.

Railcar program a unique opportunity to solve transportation problems

Growers of Washington potatoes, apples and onions had a chance to talk with Mike Begnaud, who handles sales for Rail Logistics LC about new rail service through the Washington Produce Railcar Pool program. Mr. Begnaud arrived in Moses Lake, WA, on Sept. 18 to visit with the Washington State Potato Commission and coordinate grower visits prior to his return to Overland Park, KS.

CPMA raises concerns over new USDA inspections

WASHINGTON -- Canadian produce marketers have raised concerns about new user fees due to be levied on Canadian shipments of fruits and vegetables to help pick up the tab for increased U.S. inspections.

The issue surfaced during high-level trade negotiations between the agriculture chiefs of the two countries earlier this month.

Acompora benefit set for Oct. 14

The New York -- and national -- produce industries have been big supporters of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation. A fundraiser three years ago was so successful -- it raised $430,000 -- that the effort was sufficient to fund the activities of the all-volunteer foundation for three years.

John Acompora, the father of the late high school lacrosse player Louis Acompora, said that the foundation is again in need of funding. He hopes a grand fundraiser planned for Oct. 14 will be sufficient to fund the foundation for another three years.

Copyright © 2025 The Produce News • Covering Fresh Produce Around the Globe Since 1897