WASHINGTON " Grower-based organizations are hoping that President Bush?s call for action on immigration reform during the State of the Union address will help Congress pass long-awaited reforms for the agriculture guest worker program. ?Those of us in agriculture who have been pleading for immigration reform are heartened by the president?s courageous call to action and we are optimistic that a solution can be found to solve the immigration crisis," said Tom Nassif, president of Western Growers Association in Irvine, CA. The president?s State of the Union remarks elevated the discussion about

In a recent press release about its new fresh-cut melon line, Fresh Express Inc. in Salinas, CA, claims that it uses Chilean fruit because it is "far sweeter than the cantaloupe or honeydew usually offered in the United States during the winter." That statement, and other language contained in the release, has left a sour taste in the mouths of a number of melon importers and marketers. The release, which was published recently in The Produce News and elsewhere, promoted the sweetness of Fresh Express?s new fresh-cut, clamshell-packaged melon product. In part, the release stated, "Fresh

Santa Maria, CA-based Bab? Farms Inc. and Phillip Moreland, the company?s vice president of sales and marketing, have come to an amicable parting as of Feb. 1. Greg Pedigo, president of Bab? Farms, told The Produce News Feb. 7, that he and Mr. Moreland mutually agreed to the split. "It wasn?t the right fit," Mr. Pedigo said. "I consider him a friend and would recommend him [for employment]." Mr. Pedigo said that Mr. Moreland is used to managing "40 or 50 salespeople? instead of a three-person sales staff such as that of Bab? Farms. The decision to part ways comes six months into Mr. Moreland?s

Mike Browne, president, CEO and founding partner of Fresh Directions International in Ventura, CA, is no longer part of the company?s management, but he retains his 25 percent interest in the business, according to Manuel Castillo Jr., the son of the majority partner who is "helping out through the transition? until a replacement is named. Fresh Directions is an importer and marketer of avocados and tropical fruit. Seventy-five percent of the business is owned by Mr. Castillo?s father, who owns Agroforestal MACAPI S.A., a large farming operation in the Dominican Republic that includes

The Florida tomato industry has launched a campaign designed to reach consumers with the message that there is no shortage of tomatoes from the Sunshine State. The effort includes participation from virtually every segment of the tomato industry " from suppliers to trade associations to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and even to retailers. Why people might think there is a shortage " and a subsequent increase in retail prices " is due to a chain of events that has occurred over the past six months. Following the last of four hurricanes that ravaged Florida during

?Two to three years ago, Wal-Mart executives decided they wanted to grow their cut-flower and bouquet business," said Jennifer Springer, merchandising manager for Wal-Mart?s national floral program. The company recognized that the grocery portion of its chain was where the floral was best placed. Wal-Mart placed its focus on cash-and-carry cut flowers, and set goals to deliver the best value to its customers with the highest-quality flowers at the best-possible price. Through much dedication within the company and an active involvement with its vendors, Wal-Mart is seeing its goals coming to