It's hard to believe that the month of January is quickly coming to a close. This is about the time most people who chose to go on a diet are now backing off it. Also, those who purchased or received one of those awkward exercise gadgets have tucked it away with the others, either in the garage, attic or basement. You've heard that old saying, "After the first of the year, I'm going on a diet to lose weight." Or something like, "We'll get to it after the first of the year." Everything always seems to be planned for "after the first of the year." There is already evidence of most resolutions

SALINAS, CA -- The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Jan. 24 that the proposed Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which would establish an inspection program for handlers of leafy greens, has been released for sign-ups. The proposed agreement, which was created by the leafy greens industry and is being facilitated by CDFA, would utilize the inspection program to verify that leafy greens handlers are complying with their own standards. Handlers are middlemen through whom product moves from field to retail. If sign-ups indicate that there is enough participation for the

DETROIT - Working what he declared "the hardest job of my life," Khalil Saad, owner of Papaya Fruits & Grocery in a Middle Eastern neighborhood, here, gets little sleep. He shops the Detroit Produce Terminal daily for about three hours beginning at 2:45 a.m. for the fruits and vegetables he will sell from his store's shelves each day. But his customers appreciate his efforts and he moves great volumes of produce through his modestly sized store. Though Papaya has built some strong momentum now into its fourth year of operation under Mr. Saad's leadership, it began on shaky ground. The first

Damage to the California avocado crop during the week-long January freeze that affected most growing areas now appears to be approaching 30 percent, according to industry sources. Any shortfalls are expected to be made up, to a great extent if not entirely, by fruit from Mexico and Chile. Suppliers are quick to reassure buyers that there will be adequate supplies of fruit available for Super Bowl and other promotions, and in general to meet market demands throughout the season. Additionally, they said that there would be sufficient California fruit available for any customers who have a

The price for mushrooms from the farm to the retail shelf rose significantly in recent months, and that is expected to continue, at least in the short run, according to a number of mushroom industry marketers. Speaking both off and on the record, several mushroom industry executives painted the same picture of demand continuing to exceed supply with no letup in sight. The price paid to growers for mushrooms destined for the processor have gone up dramatically in the past six months, and the effect in both price and supplies has spilled over to the fresh market. Combine this with increasing

Anticipating between 50 and 100 responses to its inaugural retail display announcement last fall, the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee began receiving inquiries and started sending fulfillment material to retailers in November. But as requests continued to come in, IEOOC Marketing Director Sherise Jones realized that the numbers were exceeding all expectations. "We didn't expect this kind of overwhelming response," Ms. Jones said in mid-January during Idaho-Eastern Oregon Spanish Sweet Onion Lover's Month. "Experts said 50 to 100 responses would be good. To date we've sent out upwards of