WASHINGTON -- By later this fall, 1 million kids will be eating fresh fruits and vegetables in schools as a popular snack program is expanded nationwide.

"If you're a wholesaler, you should know about this program," said Lorelei DiSogra, vice president of nutrition and health for the United Fresh Produce Association, here. "This is a huge business opportunity for wholesalers and even retailers."

The Idaho Grower Shipper Association, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, is a voluntary trade association that has been representing the fresh potato shippers and grower-shippers of Idaho for 80 years. For the last 28 of those years, Dave Smith has been at the helm of the organization, but he is retiring Aug. 29, and Travis Blacker, formerly with Dickinison Frozen Foods, has been hired to be the new president of IGSA.

Loblaw Cos. Ltd., one of the larger retailers in Canada, has kicked off a new program to promote locally grown Canadian produce.

Called "Grown Close to Home," the program, which was unveiled Aug. 14 and will run through the beginning of September, will be promoted on all Loblaw's outlets that sell produce -- at least 1,000 stores across the country, Mike Venton, the firm's new senior vice president of produce, told The Produce News Aug. 19.

The Southeast Produce Council updated its website earlier this month to give it a fresh, new look, adding some exciting functions that both grower- shippers and retailers should find quite useful.

"The site looks more professional," SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees told The Produce News Aug. 18, noting that the site (www.seproducecouncil.com) went live just three days before.

PHILADELPHIA -- After seven years of discussions, an agreement was finally reached that will make Philadelphia a pre-eminent produce hub by virtue of a new state-of-the-art produce terminal.

"The deal is done," Sonny DiCrecchio, general manager of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, told The Produce News after he faxed his signature to the proper parties to finally seal the agreement that paves the way to construct the world's most-modern wholesale fresh produce market here.

The Washington Apple Commission voted Aug. 4 to appoint Ken Severn as its interim president. This follows the commission's action to place David Carlson, who served as president of the commission for five years, on administrative leave, effective Sept. 1.

Details about Mr. Carlson's removal as president have been slow to emerge. Personnel matters are protected under Washington's confidentiality guidelines. As a result, detailed background information about the board's decision is not available to the general public.