At the request of its Canadian members, the Organic Trade Association is expanding its efforts in Canada by establishing an OTA Canada division. "This fulfills a long-term goal of OTA to create a stronger presence in Canada," Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director, said in a statement. Ms. Wilcox noted that the association has always had members from Canada on its board and, in fact, was founded in part by Canadians. This move comes as Canada is preparing to issue its federal organic standards, which will require much attention from OTA. OTA Canada will be an operating division of OTA, with a

After years of negotiations, Canadian produce groups announced that an agreement has been reached to modernize the country's destination inspection service and ultimately produce a system that will guarantee timely and accurate inspections. The agreement calls for a restructuring of the destination inspection service of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and collection and allocation of resources to make the program sustainable. Wayne Morris, who has worn various hats in Canada's produce industry including a stint with CFIA and who is currently a consultant for the Fresh Produce Alliance

NEW YORK -- When the World Cup final soccer game started on Sunday afternoon, July 9, attendees of the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, here, fell silent, if only for a minute. But over the next couple of hours, it was apparent that the attention was not only on food or on related business. Many left their booths and huddled in front of a television set at the rear of the facility. For the next several hours, moans, screams, yelps, laughs and cries emanated from the crowd as the final game of the World Cup between Italy and France progressed. Finally, as the game was decided in favor of

Rocker Sammy Hagar and famed motorcycle customizer Arlen Ness are teaming up to raise awareness and funds among motorcycle enthusiasts in support of First Candle, one of the nation's leading charities dedicated to infant survival. A one-of-a-kind motorcycle has been customized by Mr. Ness with original artwork by Mr. Hagar and will be included in a national drawing to benefit First Candle. The one-of-a kind motorcycle made its debut at the Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference & Exposition in Monterey, CA. The cycle was scheduled to be in the lobby of the Portola Plaza Hotel

A panel of produce experts took a hard look at what the produce industry has accomplished with regard to nutrition marketing and also discussed additional opportunities at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo held Tuesday, July 11, in Anaheim, CA. More than 1,000 attendees spent the day visiting scores of booths and listening to produce and floral experts discuss new products, innovative marketing ideas and cutting-edge merchandising concepts. The event is unique in the industry, as it is designed to draw in- store personnel from the foodservice and retail sectors. Besides talking about

KENNEWICK, WA -- Multiple hailstorms passed through the prime pear-growing regions of Washington state twice during Independence Day week, and early damage assessments indicated that losses could be substantial. In addition, securing enough labor to thin damaged orchards could also be problematic. Dan Kelly, assistant manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House Association in Wenatchee, said that the first storm came early in the week and affected mainly pear orchards in the areas of Cashmere, Leavenworth, Peshastin and Chelan. A second storm later in the week damaged trees in Manson and