STURBRIDGE, MA -- Out with the old ways of thinking and in with the new ways. That is, if you want to survive and thrive in your business.

John Stanley, an internationally known retail consultant, told an audience of New England growers, marketers and service providers that consumers' buying habits have changed dramatically in the past three years. Ignore the changing trends at your own peril, Mr. Stanley warned.

John Groh

EDITOR and PUBLISHER

[email protected]

WASHINGTON -- Produce groups hailed President Obama’s announcement that a deal had been struck over the Mexico cross-border trucking dispute, a move that will reduce by half the retaliatory tariffs on more than $2 billion of U.S. goods once the agreement is formally signed.

Produce companies have been pushing for Washington to resolve the trade dispute with Mexico since Congress halted a pilot program in March 2009 that would have allowed Mexican carriers to enter the United States.