WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association has approved a plan to begin collecting microbiological testing data on commodities, Robert Whitaker of NewStar Fresh Foods said at a food-safety hearing on Capitol Hill. Dr. Whitaker, who is also past chairman of United Fresh, said that the database would be blinded to protect the identity of data sources and developed in conjunction with outside legal counsel to provide maximum integrity. "This blinded database will allow for the consolidation of testing data on an industry-wide basis for companies that choose to participate," he said. "This

MONTREAL -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's recently completed convention was shorter in duration than in previous years, but CPMA officials termed it successful in all respects, from workshops to social events, from speakers to the trade show. The 82nd annual convention, held here May 9-11, was a three-day event - one day shorter than in previous years. The welcoming reception Wednesday evening, May 9, allowed some networking opportunities before the convention got down to business the following morning with the joint delegates breakfast, highlighted by keynote speaker Larry

SALINAS, CA -- Kay Filice, owner of Filice Farms in Hollister, was named chairman of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California at its annual awards banquet Thursday, May 17, held at Corral de Tierra Country Club. The award marks the first time in the association's 77-year history that a woman has ascended to the role. Ms. Filice served as vice chairman of the association for 2006-07. Ms. Filice said that like the association's outgoing chairman, Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms, she enters the role at a tumultuous time with several ongoing issues, such as labor shortages, water

An inedible, toxic fruit could be the best thing that has happened to the burgeoning movement in biofuels, and agribusiness talent from the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas could help tip the balance in favor of that fruit becoming the biofuel source of choice worldwide. The seeds from the fruit of the jatropha plant -- which grows best in warm, dry climates such as are found in West Africa and India -- contain oil that is being refined for biodiesel. Blended with regular diesel, the mixture contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions from diesel engines. Indeed, jatropha may have the

Two executives of RLB Food Distributors LP, based in West Caldwell, NJ, have purchased the company from its founder. Floyd Avillo and Pat Mele III, chief operating officer and vice president/ controller, respectively, have purchased 100 percent of the company stock from Rob Bildner. The deal closed on May 9. Mr. Bildner was president of RLB, which he founded in 1985. He and his wife, Elisa Spungen Bildner, who was president of RLB's processing division, FreshPro, have left the company to pursue other interests. Mr. Avillo has been with RLB for 26 years, and Mr. Mele has been with RLB for nine

Allan Corrin, who is best known for shepherding the development of the Ruby Red seedless grape variety and launching Lunch Bunch grapes, died May 8, as a result of complications from a stroke he suffered in 2005. He was 80. Mr. Corrin was born in California in 1927 and was raised in Long Beach, where he met his wife of 56 years, Charlene Wood. He began his career in the produce industry in 1950 on Los Angeles' Seventh Street Market at the Theron Hooker Co. He worked his way up from a truck loader to a field man, and soon opened an office for the firm in Reedley, CA, where he specialized in the