PHILADELPHIA -- Foodservice sales, local production, produce packaging, consumer information and transportation issues were among the hot topics of discussion in a produce industry seminar held here Dec. 6.

Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann offered a State of the Industry presentation, which was followed by four industry leaders whose panel discussion addressed some of the issues flagged by Mr. Silbermann.

On Nov. 28, the Chilean Exporters Association (Asociacion de Exportadores de Chile or ASOEX) filed comments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in opposition to a marketing order rule change proposed by a group of table grape growers from the Coachella Valley in California.

In a Nov. 29 press release, ASOEX indicated that the proposed change, if adopted by the USDA, could cut at least 20 days and 2 million cases of Thompson seedless grapes out of the Chilean fresh fruit shipping season in April of each year.

NOGALES, AZ -- Retailers need to be focused on their businesses to be competitive in an environment of blurred retail channels, according to speakers at the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas annual Nogales Produce Convention & Invitational Golf Tournament, here, Dec. 1-3.

Rick Smith, director of produce for the Modesto, CA-based Save Mart Supermarkets Inc. supermarket chain, told the audience that regional players such as Save Mart and Wegman's have found a niche in the marketplace.

There is a play-on-words joke about being "outstanding/out standing in your field." Laura McIntosh has managed to meld the concept into her unique "Bringing It Home" television cooking show.

Everyone agrees that the fresh produce business operates on a supply-and-demand basis. The problem is that there are many factors that affect both the supply volumes and the demand trends.

Mother Nature is included in the nearly unending list of issues. And she proved her power in the two previous hurricane seasons.

Put a watermelon seed on your forehead and make a wish before it falls off.

Make a wish on the first star you see at night.

Make a wish on a wishbone with another person.

Make a wish before blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.

Making wishes is nothing more than a superstition, but it is still entertaining and fun.