WASHINGTON -- U.S. Apple Association board member Mark Nicholson urged a House of Representatives subcommittee to continue its full support of specialty crop programs in the next farm bill. Sharing specific examples of the positive impact of the 2008 farm bill, Mr. Nicholson -- co-owner of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY -- emphasized the importance of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Fruit & Vegetable Program, the Market Access Program and other priority initiatives. Mr. Nicholson is the third apple leader to offer farm bill testimony this

Idaho Potato Commission President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Muir was the first volunteer to go 'Over the Edge' to help raise funds and awareness for Idaho's Special Olympics. "It was an absolute thrill, professionally, personally and physically to rappel off a 14-story building for a great organization like the Special Olympics," Mr. Muir said in a July 15 press release. "The IPC has been a strong and long-time supporter of the Special Olympics, and it was an honor to be invited to participate in this unique event." Over the Edge is a new and exciting fundraiser for Special Olympics

Jennifer Skidgel-Clarke has joined Steinbeck Country Produce in Salinas, CA, in the newly created position vice president of food safety and regulatory compliance. Ms. Skidgel-Clarke brings extensive experience in the food safety and regulatory arenas to Steinbeck Country Produce. She was most recently food safety and risk manager for four years at Christensen & Giannini LLC in Salinas. Prior to that she held positions at Tanimura & Antle in Salinas as pest control adviser and farm GAP coordinator, and as agricultural inspector/biologist for the Monterey County agriculture commissioner. At

The Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference & Exposition, set for July 30 to Aug. 1 in Monterey, CA, will provide foodservice professionals an outstanding menu of events and exhibitors. Julia Stewart, PMA's public relations director, told The Produce News that this year's conference is placing a big focus on food-safety programming. The Food Safety & Traceability: Where We Are, Where We Need to Be workshop is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Saturday, July 31. "The PMA and industry experts will discuss using traceability as more than a food-safety system and its positive effects to [the]

The Oppenheimer Group in Vancouver, BC, has appointed Nolan Quinn to lead its emerging berry category in the new role of berry category director. Mr. Quinn, whose career at Oppenheimer spans a decade-and-a-half, now oversees all aspects of the company's berry business -- from global sourcing to exporting to marketing. Oppenheimer's category consists of berries grown in the United States, Canada, Chile, Argentina and Mexico, including Ocean Spray fresh cranberries and blueberries. "Nolan has played an instrumental role in strategically developing our berry business over the last several years,"

With large crops and late starts on all varieties for the spring grape deals in Mexico and California's Coachella Valley, there was an expectation this year that both producing areas would still be going strong when the grape harvest in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California was ready to begin. Even though the Central California crop was also running late due to cool spring weather, growers were concerned that a significant amount of fruit from Mexico and Coachella would still remain to be marketed when the Central California harvest began. But to the surprise of many, by the week of