NEWARK, DE -- In recognition of the critical importance packaging plays in increasing the sales of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Produce Marketing Association has announced its new PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging. An award will be granted in five categories: food safety/ traceability, functionality/technology, marketing design/messaging, sustainability and merchandising/transportability. "The pivotal role packaging plays in the produce marketplace cannot be over- emphasized, Ronald G. McCormick, chairman of the PMA Packaging Council and vice president and divisional

Bloomington, CA-based Index Fresh has appointed Giovanni Cavaletto chief operating officer. "Giovanni brings his valuable field experience in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties to the executive board of Index Fresh. His experience and understanding of both local and international markets are greatly appreciated," Dana Thomas, president of Index, said in a press release. A native of Nipomo, CA, Mr. Cavaletto is a third-generation farmer and has been with Index for 12 years. He holds an MBA from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. In conjunction with his Index work, Mr. Cavaletto farms both

Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has begun construction of a $50 million facility in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, for the production of the firm's sweetened dried cranberry line. The company broke ground June 22 for the 100,000-square-foot plant; construction is expected to be complete by September 2008. The plant will produce several million pounds of "Craisins" brand dried cranberries annually according to company representatives. Ocean Spray, a Massachusetts-based cooperative, had said in published reports that because of increasing consumer demand, it intends to eventually quadruple production of the

Tracy, CA-based Pacific Triple E Ltd. has rebuilt its entire production line here for its Roma tomatoes, installing five eight-lane MAF optic sizers. The upgrades to Pacific Triple E's packingshed could increase the company's production speed by as much as 30 percent, according to Billy Heller, chief executive officer. The new system should "increase yields by 5 to 12 percent and give us greater flexibility," he said. These efficiencies will lead to further cost savings for the company through a reduction in the labor needed in the packingshed. By the end of the season, the work crew of 160 in

Retail grocery workers for Southern California's top three chains apparently overwhelmingly authorized a strike during balloting on June 24 and 25, but the vote is not expected to lead to an immediate walkout. The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union and representatives of the retailers have been in contract negotiations for several months. The previous contract, which was not signed until after a devastating five-month strike three years ago, expired in early March but has been extended twice. After negotiations broke off in mid-June, the union called for the strike

The names, by now, are becoming familiar to the public: Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, avian influenza. These are among the invasive pests and emerging diseases that can threaten our domestic plant and animal agriculture if we do not maintain vigilance. As Congress crafts national agricultural policy for the coming year and beyond, it is worthwhile to have a discussion of the issues involved in protecting our agricultural industry to ensure its continued ability to compete in a global marketplace. New Jersey is committed to working with other states to help shape a national farm