WASHINGTON -- The House of representatives overwhelmingly approved the long-awaited farm bill conference report with $3 billion in specialty crop program priorities and a veto-proof majority. The nearly $300 billion bill passed the House 318-106 -- a large enough majority to override a veto promised by President Bush, who criticized the bill as too pricey and for falling short of needed farm-subsidy reforms. "In the absence of a good farm bill, I call on Congress to extend current law for at least one year," President Bush said the day before the House approved the bill by a wide margin. "Both

Longtime California fruit grower and shipper Dominic F. (Doc) Danna of D.F. Danna & Co. Inc. in San Jose, CA, died May 1 after a six-month illness. He was 97. Born the second of six sons, Mr. Danna spent his entire life working with his brothers growing fruit, vegetables and nuts in Santa Clara, Sutter and Yuba counties in California under the company names of Danna & Danna Inc. and D.F. Danna & Co. Mr. Danna and his brothers were innovators in bringing new growing, harvesting and packing techniques to the melon, prune and walnut industries. Their produce was recognized for its exceptionally

Duda Farm Fresh Foods says it is committed to delivering quality, innovation and service to its customers, which is why the 82-year-old, family-owned, nationwide fresh fruit and vegetable company uses consumer research to guide its development of new varieties and innovations in packaging and merchandising. Research shows that consumers are looking for convenience in their shopping trips. Merchandising can help provide that convenience by locating celery products adjacent to one another. "Our consumer research confirms, when given multiple options in one display, consumers tend to choose more

CMI, one of Washington state's larger shippers of premium-quality conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, will be exhibiting its line of products at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention in Calgary, AB. CMI offers a full selection of Washington and imported fruit as well as a "Packing in the Quality" promise that is second to none. Consumers look for premium apples and expect reliable availability in the marketplace. Buyers can count on CMI for an exceptional selection of popular varieties and specialty items such as Grapple, and exclusive club varieties such as

AgriWorld Exchange, a live on-line agricultural marketplace headquartered in Menlo Park, CA, announced that it has signed an agreement with Produce Reporter Co. to enable Blue Book subscribers to view rating information from within the AgriWorld Exchange on-line platform. Under terms of the agreement, AgriWorld Exchange will become a Blue Book registered developer, allowing it to provide instant access to Blue Book rating data while engaged in on-line transactions. This will create a seamless experience for the many Blue Book subscribers around the world who now use AgriWorld Exchange to

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Utilizing their own allowance, kids directly purchase $40 billion in food and influence another $146 billion in food purchases by their parents, according to research presented at a workshop session during the United Fresh Produce Association convention, held here May 4-7. Heidi McIntyre, marketing director of Produce for Kids, and Steve Lutz, executive vice president of the Perishables Group, talked about the buying power of kids and how to market to them. It is obviously a difficult and diverse target with many different drivers, said Mr. Lutz. For example, some research