TORONTO -- They came for the strong networking opportunities. They came for the quality business sessions. They came for the engaging speakers and the entertaining receptions. Whatever the reason, members of the produce industry rallied in the face of the challenging economy and came to the 84th annual Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show, held here May 6-8. "I sensed the energy of the people who came this year," CPMA President Danny Dempster told The Produce News during the waning hours of the trade show May 8. "I know that people are working their butts off this

Some clarity has emerged with regard to the financial difficulties being experienced by several agricultural firms owned principally by Scott Salyer in the past week as a number of public documents have been filed in separate court cases. Rumors have persisted for the past three weeks with regard to Salyer American Fresh Foods, SK Foods LP and RHM Industries. Salyer American is now under the control of a California state court-appointed receiver, while SK Foods and RHM Industries are going through separate federal court bankruptcy proceedings that have not been combined but are proceeding in

Frank Jarocki Sr., owner and president of Modern Produce Farms in Florida, NY, died May 7 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Florida after a short illness. He was 78. Mr. Jarocki was born to Joseph K. and Catherine Jarocki Nov. 18, 1930, in Big Island, NY. He was a lifelong resident of the village of Florida. He was a very successful onion grower and shipper, having owned and operated Modern Produce Farms Inc. for over 60 years. His father was also a longtime farmer in the region. Mr. Jarocki was a member of the New York Farm Bureau and the Orange County Vegetable Growers Association. He served as a

WASHINGTON  Produce businesses will need to keep a close eye on Washington in the coming month as a powerful congressional committee is slated to take up food-safety legislation after Memorial Day and a high-level White House task force is looking at how best to improve government oversight. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, said that he plans to have a draft food-safety bill ready by mid- May and start holding hearings on food-safety legislation right after the Memorial Day recess. There is no word yet on when the Senate will take up S. 510

Processing of H-2A visas for workers in Mexico resumed May 12 as Mexico eased restrictions in the wake of the H1N1 flu outbreak, but the disruption in seasonal workers may cause some businesses to rethink the cumbersome H- 2A program, said Frank Gasperini, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. "We've heard theres a week or two" of backlogged visas, Mr. Gasperini told The Produce News May 13. The U.S. embassies shut down when the Mexican government announced measures to limit large congregations to prevent the spread of the virus. There were growers that did not get

While some industry news sources reported the first week of May that Red Zoo Marketing, a producer and shipper of greenhouse vegetables, had already -- or had plans -- to file for bankruptcy, Jay Colasanti, president and co-owner of the Kingsville, ON-based firm, told The Produce News that filing for bankruptcy protection is not currently in the company's plans. "Our intentions are not to file for bankruptcy," Mr. Colasanti told The Produce News May 12. We have, however, ceased functioning in normal trade. We are not producing, sourcing from grower-partners or marketing at the moment. We are