SALINAS, CA -- A state hearing on a marketing agreement that would involve a dozen or so green leafy vegetables was drawing strong interest leading into the Jan. 12 hearing at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, CA. The hearing and the effort to gain a marketing agreement are being conducted by the California Department of Food & Agriculture at the behest of fresh produce industry associations. Western Growers Association, whose members grow, pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh vegetables and 70 percent of the fruits and nuts in California and Arizona, has taken a lead role in the

Unprecedented cold temperatures will soon descend upon much of the West and Southwest. California citrus growers in the Central Valley are bracing for a string of cold temperatures Jan. 11-18. Snow is forecast on the valley floor Jan. 12 near Bakersfield. Daytime highs will range from 39 to 55 degrees with overnight lows in the low 20s to 30 degrees. Wind chill temperatures the nights of Jan. 13, 14 and 15 will be in the teens. Daytime highs in Oxnard will drop from 84 degrees on Jan. 8 to 50 degrees on Jan. 12 -- a swing of 34 degrees in four days. Daytime highs will be in the low to mid-50s

FRESNO, CA -- The recent rash of news reports about food-related illnesses has motivated the food industry to intensify the already high level of attention being given to food safety practices and protocols. From growers to restaurateurs to retailers, people at every level of the produce supply chain have been taking a hard look at their practices -- and their documentation of those practices -- to be sure that all bases are covered. HACCP programs involve identifying and addressing those critical junctures in the food production and delivery process where contamination could occur. One of

Gerald (Wink) Edmonds, 63, who worked for Global Produce Sales in Winter Haven, FL, died of cancer Jan. 2 at Winter Haven's Bartow Regional Medical Center. Mr. Edmonds was born Sept. 6, 1943, in Flint, MI. He moved to Florida in 1970. He had been working for Global Produce Sales in Lakeland since 1995. Prior to 1995 he sold citrus for Lake Wales C.G.A. in Lake Wales, FL. "Jerry was part of the Florida produce business for over 30 years with 11 years at Global Produce Sales," said Steve Nichols of Global Produce Sales. "He was a valued co-worker, but even more than that, a good friend to all of

WILMINGTON, DE -- Twenty million boxes of Chilean fruit will be received through the port of Wilmington this season, according to Thomas Keefer, the port's deputy executive director. The port's Chilean deliveries come from the steamship line Pacific Seaways, which carries breakbulk, palletized fruit for a variety of exporters. Joining the Pacific Seaways shipping cooperative this year is Dole Deciduous, based in Philadelphia. Pacific Seaways will bring about 200,000 pallets to Wilmington from Chile this season. This is 14,000 pallets more than a year ago. Mr. Keefer expects to be receiving

WASHINGTON -- Two growers told stories of labor shortages in the fields and orchards at a Jan. 10 press conference that marked the beginning of the agricultural worker debate in the new Democrat-controlled Congress. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Larry Craig (R-ID) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) reintroduced the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits & Security Act Jan. 10. Reps. Chris Cannon (R-UT), Howard Berman (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) introduced the House companion bill the same day. While it is likely to pass the Senate again this year, advocates hope the bill will pass the newly