WASHINGTON -- Tomato growers and first handlers nationwide could get money for losses stemming from the federal government's Salmonella warning if a bill introduced June 24 by U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) becomes law. The Florida lawmaker, who represents tomato growers, is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to dole out $100 million in federal disaster assistance to help businesses unable to market tomato crops as a result of the Food & Drug Administration's June 7 health advisory. Under the bill, USDA would write regulations on eligibility and on the amount of money companies could be

The Food & Drug Administration announced Friday afternoon, July 25, that it is revising its consumer advice to indicate that all fresh Jalapeno and Serrano peppers grown in the United States are not associated with the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, and are thus safe to consume. Retailers and restaurants are advised that they may sell U.S.-grown peppers without concern about this outbreak, according to a report e-mailed by the United Fresh Produce Association, in Washington, DC. FDA is continuing its investigation and has confirmed that the Jalapeno peppers distributed by Agricola Zaragoza in

After a 16-year run with Metro Inc., Alain Pare has left the Montreal-based firm -- one of Canada's larger retailers -- to join Groupe Connexion in Joliette, QC. Mr. Pare's first day with Groupe Connexion was July 21. Groupe Connexion is a holding company for three businesses owned by Daniel Berard: Danfreight Systems Inc., VegKiss and B&B Gardens. "Daniel and I have been friends for many, many years, and while I'm naturally sad to leave the Metro team as it was very good for me, I'm ready for new adventures and new challenges," Mr. Pare told The Produce News July 22. "The company is growing

The Corn Maiden Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa is located on the Santa Ana Pueblo Native American Indian reservation between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. It is a fitting place for Executive Chef Mark Ching to seek out a new culinary oasis. Since arriving there three years ago, the 38-year restaurant veteran has pushed the culinary envelope to new levels. "It's all about combining indigenous ingredients with global flavors," said Chef Ching. "I've been with Hyatt Hotels for about 30 years, previously in Atlanta, San Francisco and Phoenix. By the time I arrived here, my

WASHINGTON -- Described as a breakthrough by FDA officials at the Food & Drug Administration, the agency has found a Mexican-picked jalapeno pepper at a Texas distributor that matches the Salmonella Saintpaul serotype that has caused more than 1,200 people to become ill. Now FDA officials are working feverishly with Agricola Zaragosa, a small distributor in McAllen, TX, to issue a recall notice to its buyers. "We presented the information to the firm, and a recall is underway," David Acheson, FDA's associate commissioner for food, said in a July 21 call with reporters. Though the Salmonella

CUTCHOGUE, NY -- Paulette Satur knew that the farm she and her husband, Eberhard Muller, bought here on Long Island's north fork in 1997 would be a success. Ms. Satur told The Produce News during a visit in early July that she and Mr. Muller -- a world-renowned chef with 30 years of experience and who served as executive chef at some of New York City's more famous restaurants, including Le Bernardin, Lutece and Bayard's -- met, married and bought their farm all in the same year. Initially, the couple started growing vegetables for Mr. Muller's restaurants on a 3,500-square-foot plot of land