There is general agreement among growers and shippers of California peaches, nectarines and plums that the industry is going through some troubled times.

Certainly, returns to the farm have not been good in recent years. There are many factors contributing to that condition, but overproduction, vis-a-vis the current level of demand, is widely seen as a major cause of the industry's woes.

At the very least, it is one factor over which the growers themselves can exercise some control.

Innovation. Environmental stewardship. Social responsibility. The phrases are now commonly used in the fresh produce industry. But 20 years ago, Stemilt Growers Inc., based in Wenatchee, WA, saw the wisdom of incorporating the concepts into its business practices. And the commitment continues to be recognized nationally.

"Our founder, Tom Mathison, was a believer in innovation," said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt director of marketing. "It's in our culture here."

Harrisburg, PA-based Verdelli Farms Inc., a subsidiary of Salinas, CA-based Fresh Express Inc., is undergoing personnel changes as a result of the transition to becoming a Fresh Express entity.

Brothers Dan Verdelli and Mike Verdelli, former executive vice president and vice president of sales and marketing, respectively, are no longer part of the company's day-to-day operations.

The final numbers are in and Produce for Kids, an organization that promotes the benefits of healthy eating and supports worthy causes for children, raised more than $162,000 this fall as part of the "Eat Smart for a Great Start" campaign.

The funds benefit PBS Kids, which provides content, resources and tools that support the positive development of the whole child - the cognitive, emotional, social and physical.

CurrantC has just completed the first major production run of its black currant nectar and nectar-juice blends.

The Staatsburg, NY-based firm has started shipping the first cases of its six new flavors, which are original black currant and black currant-juice blends with boysenberry, blueberry, clementine, passion fruit and strawberry/kiwifruit. The products are destined for the United States and Canada, said Mark Sherburne, CurrantC's director of sales and marketing for North America.

WASHINGTON -- The country-of-origin labeling program, scheduled to go into effect in March, may once again be delayed because the new administration has directed all federal agencies to review former President Bush's end-of-the-term regulations.

In a Jan. 20 memorandum, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel directed federal agencies to stop all pending regulations and yet-to-be-implemented rules, and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials confirmed that the Jan. 16 COOL regulation would be reviewed by new management at the department.