In a move that solidifies Los Angeles-based Herb Thyme Farms Inc.'s position as a leading U.S. grower, shipper and marketer of fresh culinary herbs and edible flowers, the company has acquired the business operations of McCormick Fresh Herbs LLC. This acquisition will integrate the fresh herb farms, facilities, employees and management team of McCormick into Herb Thyme. It combines two national leaders in the fresh herb business and continues Herb Thyme's pattern of growth through acquisitions. In early 2004, Herb Thyme acquired New Hampshire-based New England Herb Co. and later that year

New York Gov. George E. Pataki has nominated Patrick Brennan to serve as commissioner of agriculture and markets. He succeeds Nathan Rudgers, who stepped down from the post late last year. As the state's agriculture commissioner, Mr. Brennan will oversee the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture & Markets, an agency that has both regulatory and promotional oversight of the food and agricultural industry. Previously, Mr. Brennan served as the state director for rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing a $200 million budget to create economic development

Accent lighting is becoming increasingly popular in the supermarket. Carefully aimed bulbs can enhance the green waxy shine on avocados, boost sunny colors on bananas, and make radishes, grapes and blueberries look positively mouth watering. According to new research conducted by scientists at the University of Idaho extension, however, some lights work better on potatoes than others. The study showed that certain bright overhead lights speed the rate at which potatoes turn green, and that's a consumer turnoff. Fortunately, scientists were able to identify which type of lights flatter the

WASHINGTON -- Expect production losses in fruits and vegetables of between $5 billion and $9 billion annually if enforcement-only bills like the House-passed immigration reform bill becomes law, says a new study by the American Farm Bureau Federation. On Dec. 16, the House of Representatives passed the controversial Border Protection, Antiterrorism & Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, leaving the agriculture industry scrambling to beat back the measure in the Senate. At issue are provisions that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally and slap huge penalties on

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has asked Charles M. Kuperus to continue to serve as New Jersey secretary of agriculture. "In order to build a better New Jersey, all aspects of our economy must be thriving. Charles Kuperus understands this," Mr. Corzine, who was sworn in as governor of the Garden State on Jan. 17, said in a statement. "And he also recognizes the unique challenges facing New Jersey's farmers and agricultural community. I am pleased he has agreed to be part of my administration." Mr. Kuperus has served as secretary since 2002. During that time, the department developed an

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The wholesale produce markets are broken and they need to be fixed, according to Pete Carcione, president of Carcione's Fresh Produce Co. Inc. as well as president of Golden Gate Produce Terminal in South San Francisco. The markets will continue to attract buyers in large part because they can cut and taste the produce there before buying it. Mr. Carcione just wants them to do it at a later hour. One of his main mantras is that wholesale produce terminal hours nationwide should be changed to better accommodate the lives of those who work on the markets. Several years