The U.S. Apple Association in Vienna, VA, applauded the Obama administration for its plan to purchase $18.6 million worth of apples in the near future. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement Nov. 11 at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters' annual convention in Kansas City, MO.

Numerous new projects are currently underway to help small and mid-sized farmers get their fruits and vegetables directly into the hands of foodservice operators, farmers markets and retailers.

The projects also include initiatives that help to educate consumers on the source of their food via avenues that enable them to learn about the farmers -- and in some cases, even interact with them. Most projects are using technology to streamline the process, and growers everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunities.

There are two issues that come into play in consideration of the possibility of the United States importing South African citrus in 2010, according to Bruce McEvoy, a consultant for Seald Sweet International, based in Vero Beach, FL.

In a Nov. 15 e-mail to The Produce News, Mr. McEvoy said, that there are two separate issues when it comes to addressing the potential for sourcing South African grapefruit for the U.S. market.

EATONTOWN, NJ -- Village Farms, a premier grower and marketer of hydroponic greenhouse-grown products, based here, has announced a land preservation and water conservation project at its Texas facilities that positions the company to be a good steward of the land as well as a good neighbor to area ranches and puts into action its slogan, "What's good for the earth is good for business."

To the editor,

I read and absorbed every word of your eloquent tribute piece to Kline Cash (The Produce News, Nov. 2, 2009, Vol. 112, No. 44). Your account was heart- warming, filled with emotion and precisely accurate.

It has been a trend that has lasted longer than a decade and there is no end in sight. South Texas continues to increase the amount of fresh produce items that enter the United States through its border towns with the help of its longtime produce operators.