THERMAL, CA " One of the larger table grape grower-shipper operations in the Coachella Valley " Rivera Vineyards " has removed itself from the 2005 fresh table grape shipping season, which is set to start in early May. The Produce News confirmed at press deadline (April 14) that Rivera Vineyards has not changed its farming practices on grapes, and that it still has more than 2,000 acres of grapes in production. But it was also confirmed that for the 2005 season, the company will divert its normal fresh table grape production to concentrate fresh juice and raisins. A spokesman for Rivera

The grocery industry and consumer press seem to be inundated with stories about the advantages of in-store sampling lately. One Florida newspaper article recently sang its praises, outlining efforts by stores with pepper jelly and cream cheese on pretzels, French bread with a dipping sauce, and a pre-mixed meatloaf. The article quoted a staff member of the Food Marketing Institute stating that in-store food demonstrations are on the rise as surveys show that 70 percent of consumers would shop at a specific store if they knew it would offer samples. Another 86 percent said they were more likely

WASHINGTON - Coming from Nebraska, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns admitted he was not up to speed with fresh fruit and vegetable industry issues at a March 29 meeting with leaders of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. But United President Tom Stenzel said that the new secretary was very supportive, asked many questions and expressed interest in touring produce operations to become more familiar with an industry that will be demanding more attention from USDA in the upcoming farm bill debate. Mr. Stenzel joined top United officials " Mike Wootton, vice president of corporate relations

SunSelect Produce in Aldergrove, BC, is the latest greenhouse producer to join marketing forces with Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group. Oppenheimer signed a multi-year agreement with SunSelect in mid-March, and began shipping the first bell peppers grown by its new partner a week later. SunSelect, a 30-acre, family-run bell pepper operation located just north of the U.S. border, annually grows over 500,000 cases of red, yellow and orange peppers. Established in 1987 by the Krahn family, SunSelect is one of the longer-producing pepper growers in the lower mainland of Canada. ?SunSelect

?My brother and I, in a friendly move, split and went different directions," Michael Cutler told The Produce News on April 11, a week after his new firm, Michael Cutler Co. in Olyphant, PA, began its operations. Mr. Cutler, who has been in the produce business for 37 years, was previously associated with his brother, Harris Cutler, in Race West Co. and Philip G. Ball Co. in Clarks Summit, PA. Harris Cutler succinctly and simply commented to The Produce News: "We wish Michael and his employees great success in their new venture." Michael Cutler described his new company as "a grower, shipper

NEWARK, DE -- Fruits and vegetables are the centerpiece of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new food guidance system that will be used to help the public understand and use the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and make more healthful choices among the foods they eat, including greater consumption of fruits and vegetables. The system, MyPyramid "Steps to a Healthier You," illustrates the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet by using two of the six color bands. "This is great," Kathy Means, vice president of government relations for the Produce Marketing Association, said in