WASHINGTON -- Produce businesses may be pushed to the front lines in a polarizing battle over a controversial Arizona immigration law. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer approved a new law April 23 that requires police to check the immigration status of individuals they "reasonably suspect" may be in the country illegally. Immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the United States can be arrested, jailed and fined, and those found to be in the country illegally may be turned over to federal immigration officials. Arizona passed the law because the federal government has

The Chilean kiwifruit industry, made up of growers, packers and exporters representing more than 85 percent of Chile's fresh kiwifruit exports, have joined forces and formed the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee. The new organization will address such important concerns as production, quality control and post-harvest practices in addition to fielding marketing and promotion programs. Initial objectives include raising pre- and post-harvest standards, funding market potential research and confirming funding for aggressive market development promotions in selected high-opportunity international

With the 27th annual tribute to Walla Walla sweet onions set to take place July 16 and 17 in downtown Walla Walla, WA, organizers are anticipating approximately 10,000 attendees over the two-day event. Moreover, according to Kathy Fry-Trommald, marketing director for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, some of those planning to join the festivities are traveling considerable distances to do so. Kathy Fry-Trommald with the 2011 Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival poster, designed by Washington artist Diana Schmidt and announcing the July 16-17 event in downtown Walla Walla, WA

Mike Locati, chairman of the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, has his fingers crossed that 2010 will be another banner year for Washington's signature sweet onion. "Last year turned out to be one of our better years yield-wise and quality-wise," he told The Produce News April 22. "We just couldn't do anything wrong in the field." Walla Wallas are grown under U.S. Department of Agriculture Marketing Order 956. The protected growing area is situated in the Walla Walla Valley of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon. Walla Walla sweet onions are known for their low sulfur content

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Many people believe that getting school-age children to eat fresh fruits and vegetables is a major challenge, but the experience of the New York City school food program demonstrates that children will eat fresh produce if it is available and convenient and if they are given choices, as is the case with school salad bars, according to two presenters at United Fresh 2010 here April 21. Speaking at the breakfast general session on the subject of New York City's commitment to increasing school kids' consumption of fresh produce in school meals and, specifically, of the city's

As the watermelon season gains steam, Gordon Hunt, director of marketing for the Orlando, FL-based National Watermelon Promotion Board, is encouraging North American retailers to bring something new to watermelon displays by informing consumers of new shipping areas. Mr. Hunt suggested that retailers can smooth watermelon sales -- and avoid the peaks and valleys of demand centered around national summertime holidays -- by attracting consumer interest with information on the fluidity of the seasonal watermelon deal. He equated this with wine connoisseur interest in a newly released French