The bad news is that everyone is nervous about the national economy. The good news is that organic shoppers are generally remaining loyal to their pocketbooks, principles and products. A survey conducted by the Lieberman Research Group for the Organic Trade Association concluded that sales of oganic products were up 15.8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. In a previous interview, OTA's senior writer-editor Barbara Haumann told The Produce News, "Consumers have definitely been a driving force for retail operations." Data, she said, show that organic sales at retail continue to grow at a rate of

Andrew J. Pandol, crew supervisor at family-owned Pandol Bros. Inc. in Delano, CA, has a deep dedication to farm and family that is clearly evident. "The business has been family owned and operated since my great- grandfather Steve Pandol started it in the early 1940s," said Mr. Pandol. "The business has evolved over the years as it has passed hands from him to my grandparents and then to my father's generation. My grandfather Jack Pandol is 85 years old. He's still involved in the business and comes to the office every day. He's a reminder of the past, and he helps to keep us rooted in the

As the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement begins its third year of operation, it is making a major push to help the produce-buying trade better understand its programs. More important, the agreement is working to demonstrate that mandatory government inspections required by all members are the only truly independent farm audit a produce buyer needs. The agreement is a mechanism for verifying that farmers follow established food-safety practices through regular audits conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculturetrained inspectors. Its members handle approximately 99 percent of the

Last year's West Side melon deal in California came in at 20.5 million 40- pound cartons. Jerry Munson, manager of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, said that the board anticipates a comparable year in 2009. The 2008 final tally of 20.5 million 40-pound cartons was considerably higher than the projected 20 million 40-pound cartons and slightly higher than 21.4 million cartons generated in the West Side deal in 2007. How long the season goes past mid-September determines the final total, Mr. Munson said. "Most crop is in by then [September 15]," Mr. Munson said. The final total ratchets

Lack of water and an off-market last year combined to produce what is expected to be a bit less California onion acreage this year, but there has not been enough of a decrease to significantly alter the market, according to grower-shippers. "We've been up and running since June 1," said Mike Smythe, who is in charge of sales for the Telesis Onion Co. Inc. in Five Points, CA. "The quality looks good, the size looks good, but acreage is down a little bit. Other than that, everything is status quo." Jon Hyatt, who handles sales for the Jim Hyatt Produce Co. Inc. in Sacramento, CA, said June 9

With the 2009 tomato season from California's Central Valley just getting underway, the multi-million-dollar question is how many tomatoes will be produced this year. "We'd love to know what is going on in the Central Valley," said Mark Munger, vice president of marketing for Andrew & Williamson in San Diego. "You want to know about the size of the crop?" asked Jeff Dolan of the DiMare Co. in Newman, CA. "So do I." John Lupol, general manager of Ace Tomato Co. Inc. in Manteca, CA, agreed that it is very difficult to ascertain how current conditions are affecting this year's total crop. "Our