WASHINGTON -- Tom Stenzel, United Fresh Produce Association's president and chief executive officer, released the following statement Dec. 15 on the introduction of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security & Prosperity Act of 2009 by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL): "The United Fresh Produce Association applauds the efforts of Rep. Luis Gutierrez and his colleagues in the House in introducing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security & Prosperity Act of 2009. We are particularly gratified to see inclusion of the AgJOBS legislation, which is broadly supported as

YAKIMA, WA -- Domex Superfresh Growers announced in mid-December that it has pledged $15,000 to the Produce Marketing Association's Foundation for Industry Talent. This funding is used to build programs designed to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce supply chain. Programs include internships, career ambassadors program, job bank, career resource center, event scholarships, leadership development opportunities and HR resources PMA FIT is supported by contributions from companies which operate in all segments of the global produce supply chain. The foundation launched a 22- month

WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association congratulated Reps. Sam Farr (D-CA) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) on their introduction of the Children's Fruit & Vegetable Act of 2009 on Capitol Hill. United Fresh President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Stenzel thanked the congressmen for their leadership on the bill, which now becomes a priority component of overall child nutrition legislation in 2010 reauthorizing the school lunch and breakfast programs. "The introduction of this legislation is an important step calling attention to the simple but powerful role fruit and vegetable bars in

Wendy Brannen, executive director of the Vidalia, GA-based Vidalia Onion Committee and chairman of the Vidalia Onion Museum Committee, was recently awarded $30,000 in funding that will bolster both Vidalia area tourism and the Vidalia onion name. Ms. Brannen applied for two grants through the Georgia Department of Agriculture block grant program, which is designed to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The 2008 farm bill established the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and once Ms. Brannen was notified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture of the $30,000

DILLSBURG, PA -- In its sixth year, Apple Crunch -- sponsored by the Center for Nutrition & Activity Promotion at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and supported by the National Apple Month program, the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Board and Appeeling Fruit -- had schools in the mid-Atlantic region munching on apples. Apple Crunch is celebrated during National Apple Month and is designed to encourage youth, families, schools and communities to make the apple, and other fruits and vegetables, a regular part of a nutritious diet, with an emphasis on snacking. The one-day promotion was held

A major promotion focused on Washington-grown Jazz apples is targeting consumers in specific U.S. markets, according to David Nelley, manager of The Oppenheimer Group's pipfruit and pineapple category. Oppenheimer is the exclusive distributor of Jazz, a sweet-tart cross between the Royal Gala and Braeburn varieties bred by ENZA growers in New Zealand and introduced to North American consumers in 2002. Jazz apples have garnered a following as "Apples with Bite," and in their fourth season of commercial production in Washington state, are getting an even edgier message to consumers. "Cheat on