Nearly a year after Paramount Farms announced a massive recall of millions of raw almonds and after negotiations failed to reach a settlement, two law firms have sued the company on behalf of plaintiffs who said they got ill from eating the company?s almonds. Marler Clark, the Seattle-based law firm, and Martinez & Potter, a Los Angeles-based law firm, filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven people who became ill with Salmonella Enteriditis infections after eating Paramount Farms? raw almonds between September 2003 and May 2004. The lawsuit was filed in the South Judicial District of the Los

At their annual meeting on March 24 in Monte Vista, CO, grower-shipper members of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee took an in-depth look at several issues affecting both of the state?s potato-growing areas. A number of grower-shippers from Area I, located in the Greeley-Wray region of northern Colorado, made the several-hours-long trip to the San Luis Valley, Area II, to contribute their thoughts on matters such as grading, water rights and increasing demand for their product. And while the northern Colorado group has seen its numbers and acreage reduced over the past years, the

BOSTON - If the well-worn but nevertheless crucial idea of "satisfying your customer" is still the key to success for any business, then attendees of the New England Produce Council?s expo heard a dynamic and magical presentation that told them exactly how to get that key. Shep Hyken, a professional speaker and author, delivered a high-energy keynote speech Wednesday morning, April 6 here at the Hynes Convention Center. His address, part of the council?s annual Produce & Floral Expo, was titled "Moments of Magic," and Mr. Hyken indeed used magic card tricks to help illustrate his points as

With gasoline prices at an all-time high and an already-critical trucking situation in place, the Florida produce industry is faced with a double whammy that may threaten big and small companies alike. Ray Gilmer, director of public affairs for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association in Maitland, said that the word in the produce industry is that trucking could reach crisis status this year because of the high fuel prices, but some say it's just another straw on this already weakened camel?s back. ?Understandably, truckers don?t want to deadhead their loads," Mr. Gilmer said. "They can

WASHINGTON " More than two dozen produce groups are urging the Senate to approve agriculture worker reform legislation, known as AgJOBS, that may be offered on the Senate floor during the week of April 11. A reformed H-2A worker program is absolutely critical to all labor-intensive agriculture sectors, said Craig Regelbrugge, senior director of government relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association. Mr. Regelbrugge said that the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits & Security Act of 2005, sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), may be offered as an amendment to a supplemental

ATLANTA " Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced that the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel has selected April 28 as the shipping date to begin the 2005 Vidalia onion marketing season. The panel selected the date after examining this year?s crop and determining the best times to harvest and begin shipping. Vidalia onions shipped prior to April 28 must have a federal-state inspection certificate stating that the onions have met the established grade requirements and are under "positive lot identification? as approved by the federal-state inspection service. ?The Georgia Department