Elliott Buchanan's bags were all packed and loaded in his car.

He was on his way to start his career as a reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News, but a funny thing happened on the way to the City of Angels.

He made a telephone call to a friend that would change his entire life.

IGA in Chicago has announced that James J. Walz has been named senior director of branding and business development.

Mr. Walz, who begins his appointment immediately, will report directly to IGA Vice President and U.S. Chief Growth Officer Doug Fritsch.

WASHINGTON  Pressing trade issues and budget cuts will influence the 2007 farm bill, but that is not enough to dissuade fruit and vegetable businesses that are looking for a bigger slice of the pie this time around.

For the first time ever, fresh table grapes grown in South Korea have apparently entered the U.S. marketplace.

On Friday, Aug. 19, the Korean Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry announced that 330 kilograms of the Campbell Early grape variety, produced in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, passed quarantine inspection earlier in the week and were shipped via air to Los Angeles. The JoongAng Daily Korean newspaper reported that the grapes arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, Aug. 18.

CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its port facilities at Gulfport, MS, were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Gulfport is one of five U.S. ports the company uses to import bananas and other fresh produce.

Skagit Valley potato grower Roger Knutzen has been renamed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits & Vegetables by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman.

"American agriculture continues to play a critical role in our agenda of opening markets and expanding opportunities around the world," said Mr. Portman. The advice offered by these committee members will help ensure that Americans are competing on a level playing field and have the opportunity to sell their world class goods in overseas markets.