Last week's brief heat wave brought the warmest temperatures of the year to the Salinas Valley. Most crops have come through in decent shape from the short-lived hot spell. Texture and overall shelf life will likely be impacted for the short term, especially in the tender spinach, spring mix and baby leaf items. Growers continue to battle mold, mildew and soil disease in the stands as we move into summer harvests. While overall quality remains generally good the warmer weather has been conducive for insect populations to thrive. Aphids, thrips, small flies and gnats continue to be problematic

Brighter Bites has launched its annual Summer and Back-to-School Fundraising Campaign: Nourish Their Potential. The campaign aims to provide thousands of children and families in under-resourced communities with access to healthy food, nutrition education and wellness resources as schools close for summer and prepare to reopen in the fall.

Wholesum, a leader in organic produce innovation, announced the debut of its revolutionary new snacking tomato, Lil’Ones. Smaller than the average snacking tomato and bursting with flavor, these pearl-sized tomatoes are poised to become a game-changer in the organic snacking category. Packaged in convenient four-ounce easy-peel top-seal packs of mixed colors (red and yellow), these tomatoes are the perfect grab-and-go snack, ideal for healthy, on-the-move lifestyles. Their delightful flavor and versatile nature make them a must-have for any occasion, whether enjoyed straight from the pack

The Vineland Produce Auction has long been the premier produce auction in the country, and its success is important to New Jersey and the Northeast’s ag industry overall. Located on 44 acres in Vineland, NJ, the cooperative is comprised of hundreds of member farmers and an elected board of directors. The facility has nearly 130,000 square feet of cross-dock loading which the member farmers, brokers and distributors utilize. The biggest topic of conversation around the auction, according to Carol DeFoor, office manager for the entity, is what products are selling.

Star Roses and Plants, a leading genetics company involved directly in breeding roses, edibles, perennials and woody plants, is excited to announce two of its top-performing roses won awards from The American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) program. A.R.T.S. identifies the most sustainable, hardy, pest-resistant, and beautiful rose cultivars for use in American landscapes and gardens. Both varieties received A.R.T.S. Master Awards, having earned recognition in at least four of the six trialing regions. The winners are as follows: Blushing Drift: This groundcover rose displays

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is thrilled to have had a conventional winter that allowed for soil recharge — and without major swings — to allow for the beginning of an excellent looking season for growers in the state. “We are excited to have a full crop of all of our Jersey Fresh products this year,” said Joe Atchison III, NJDA’s assistant secretary of agriculture. “Thanks to an almost perfect winter, the Jersey Fresh produce season is off to a great start with lettuces, greens, herbs, asparagus and strawberries soon to be followed by squashes, blueberries, tomatoes, etc. all