TAMPA, FL - Grower-shippers and retailers alike are missing out on opportunities for business from new markets and media, as a series of workshops at the Southeast Produce Council's 2010 Southern Exposure expo, held here March 4-6, revealed. New opportunities representing hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues exist from expanding WIC produce voucher programs, trending consumer interests, and industry utilization of social media like Facebook and Twitter. Lorelei Disogra, vice president of nutrition and health for the United Fresh Produce Association and one of the pioneers of the 5 A

PHILADELPHIA - After a five-day labor strike that ran from March 1-5, management from the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market along with members of the Teamsters Local 929 announced March 8 that they reached a settlement. The groups held a joint press conference outside the market on the morning of March 8 after reaching an agreement on the evening of March 5. In a subsequent interview with The Produce News, Sonny DiCrecchio, executive director of the market, said that he didn't expect the strike and was very happy that it was over. Mr. DiCrecchio said, "Negotiators worked very hard to reach

California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, will run a 30-second television commercial in 26 U.S. markets on March 19 heralding the first day of spring. The company's TV commercials, which feature its president, Bill Moncovich, will air on major network affiliates leading into the weather report during the morning news hour to help generate excitement for this change in seasons across the country and the beginning of peak strawberry season in California. In addition to the TV spots, the company will be delivering fresh California Giant strawberries to the weathermen at the 26 television

In three of the last four years, the Mexican mango deal has gotten off to a fast start with at least some shipments in early February, and some marketable volume by the end of the month. Last year, shipments began in January and were quite heavy by the end of February. That has not been the pattern for 2010. In fact, shipments were non-existent in the first couple of weeks of February and U.S. importers are estimating that big numbers won't start to be seen until late March or early April. Mexico has been hit with lots of rain and well below normal temperatures in its southern states, which

Officials from Washington's apple industry are pleased with an early March announcement by the Mexican government that a tariff in place for more than a decade was removed. The 47 percent duty added approximately $10 to each box of imported Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples. The Mexican government imposed the duty following allegations that Washington apples were being dumped in Mexico at a cost lower than actual production. Over the years, the duty was contested in Mexican courts. Last October, a review panel operating under the authority of the North American Free Trade Agreement

A coin toss put Dante Galeazzi in McAllen, TX as regional sales manager for C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. What makes that even more interesting is that Mr. Galeazzi's great-great-grandfather, a farmer, held that coin four generations ago in northern Italy. At the grim dawn of fascism and the reign of Benito Mussolini, the Galeazzi family knew difficult days lay ahead for Italy. But the family could only afford to send a lone representative to a new life in the United States. Two brothers, both butchers, squared off at the family farm, their father ready to toss the fateful coin. Before the coin