The 2006 California garlic harvest is underway, and at the same time imported garlic from China is beginning to arrive in the market. "This year, the [California] crop looks pretty good," said Louis Hymel of Spice World, which is headquartered in Orlando, FL, and has garlic growing and packing operations in California's San Joaquin Valley. "We started packing just a little later this year than what we normally do, but we expect about a 10 percent increase" in volume. As of July 21, Spice World was just finishing the harvest of its California early-variety garlic. "We are still doing some

The Jazz Apple Cycling team was in perfect tune for a podium finish at the Tour de Delta, the final stop on its 2006 North American race campaign. Michelle Hyland, representing Enza Jazz apples, earned a very close second place in the unique event, where competitors were scored on their combined times in the hill climb (a 700-meter, 9 percent grade time trial), 36-kilometer criterium and 88-kilometer road race. Local favorite Marni Hambledon tallied a mere three points over Ms. Hyland, with less than two seconds separating the cyclists across the three disciplines. The Tour de Delta was the

Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, in partnership with American Onion and Gerrald's Vidalia Sweet Onions Inc., is responding to the need for a year-round sweet onion program that can provide consistently great quality. The firm has taken some of the the better growers in each location and brought them together to provide a strong program. Curry & Co.'s sweet program includes Hermiston sweets, Patagonia sweets (Chile), Texas 1015s, Vidalia sweets and Walla Walla sweets. Another new item is Hermiston sweet reds - sweet red onions that add a new dimension to the firm's fall offerings. A primary element

Lester Spell, Mississippi commissioner of agriculture, led state officials in celebrating the success of the introduction of Mirai corn, along with conventional sweet corn, to the state's Delta region with a field and shed cooler tour, tasting and ribbon-cutting ceremony in late July at the operations of Delta Harvest LLC in Indianola, MS. Historically, Mississippi's main exports have been cotton, catfish and lumber. Diversification of the agricultural economy is a priority in the state, and in only its second year, the Mirai corn produced by Delta Harvest has done surprisingly well, with 400

LA MIRADA, CA -- More than 200 industry professionals packed the Holiday Inn, here, Aug. 2 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council's membership luncheon featuring the City of Hope. The Produce/Floral Division of the Food Industries Circle presented City of Hope with a check for $120,000 to help continue the Southern California facility's cutting-edge technology in its continual effort to prevent and cure cancer and other life- threatening illness. Chuck Ackerman of Ralph's Grocery Co. served as the emcee for the event, which featured the presentation of The Spirit of Life Award to WJL

Maxco Packaging, located in Parlier, CA, announced that it has completed negotiations with Steve Jewell, president of Green Valley Packaging in Watsonville, CA, on a deal that will bring Mr. Jewell to Maxco as director of sales for the coastal region, a newly created position within Maxco. Green Valley Packaging is a packaging distribution corporation that supplies a complete line of packaging primarily to strawberry grower-shippers throughout California as well as major vegetable companies on the central coast. Mr. Jewell will maintain the Watsonville offices and staff with plans of expansion