PHILADELPHIA -- Bob Paliama is the recipient of the 2007 Friend of Chile Award.

Mr. Paliama, who is president of Delaware River Stevedores, based here, received the award, which is presented annually to an outstanding member of the regional community with a strong commitment to fostering increased commercial and trade relations between Chile and greater Philadelphia. The award is presented at the annual award luncheon hosted by the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia.

As part of an effort to oppose what it believes is an unwarranted block of late-season Chilean red grapes by Coachella, CA, grape producers, the Chilean Exporters Association, known as ASOEX_and based in Santiago, has requested related market information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With this was a request for a 60-day extension on the comment period related to a proposed marketing order change.

The Fresh Demand Working Group is set to launch an important signature campaign Jan. 15. "Potatoes: Goodness Unearthed" is the culmination of several months of in-depth consumer research by a leading New York-based international branding agency. Fresh Demand Working Group Co-Chair Tim O'Connor told The Produce News, "This is a campaign that will engage the entire industry."

Speaking with one voice, 23 produce associations and commodity groups asked a buyer consortium to reconsider the effort it has launched to require suppliers to sign and comply with specific new food-safety guidelines.

HARTFORD, CT -- Although summer is but a distant memory in the Nutmeg State, there are still opportunities to include plenty of local flavors on the holiday table.

To meet the large and increasing demand for Connecticut-grown products, a number of farmers markets throughout the state have extended their season through the holidays. Several have remained open into these colder months, while others are re-opening in conjunction with special holiday events.

A truckload of Salinas Valley produce was scheduled to arrive Thursday, Nov. 15, in San Bernardino County, providing fire victims with food assistance thanks to the generosity of growers, shippers and food banks in and around the Salinas Valley.


The load included strawberries donated by Driscoll Strawberry Associates; salads from Dole Fresh Vegetables, Tanimura & Antle and Taylor Farms; bread from the Food Bank for Monterey County; and bottled water and dry goods from Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties.