A conversation about global economics cannot be had without China factoring heavily into the discussion. While much is made of China's high-tech and manufacturing prowess, the Asian powerhouse is coming up in the world in agriculture. The population of China tops 1.3 billion, and the country has a workforce of 700 million. Specialty crops are on the rise in China, a country rich in cheap labor. Beiming Wang, a native of Shanghai in eastern China who is also rooted in the United States, has a unique role as a consultant to growers in China. There are not many Chinese nationals with U.S. roots

Morinaga Nutritional Foods Inc., a leader in the soyfoods industry and maker of shelf-stable Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, will launch the Mori-Nu "The Healthy Drive" sweepstakes promotion, a fully integrated marketing program featuring a grand prize of the Toyota Prius Hybrid to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary in the United States. The promotion, which will be the focus of Mori-Nu's U.S. marketing efforts this summer, will offer consumers a chance to win several prizes including the Toyota Prius Hybrid, which shares the Mori-Nu commitment to balanced, healthy living. The sweepstakes begins

Anthony Mazzuca is 25 going on 50. How else would one explain a 700-plus album collection -- not CDs -- dominated by artists of the 1970s? Or 25 Grateful Dead concerts attended, albeit post-Jerry Garcia? He insists he was at Woodstock, though it was the 1999 concert. There are other signs. He has been working in fresh produce for nearly half his life. OK, most of that has been summer work, but still. He has many friends in the business. Perhaps the capper -- other than the telltale Deep Purple album -- is his methodical approach to learning the fresh produce business. Mr. Mazzuca graduated

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced June 21 what it termed a series of actions intended to enhance the company's financial performance and position it for profitability in the long term. The cornerstone of the company's plan consists of focusing on its strongest markets, where it typically has a significant market share position, and reducing its store "footprint" from 913 stores in the United States and the Bahamas to 587 stores. "Creating a smaller but more profitable store base will best position Winn-Dixie for long-term financial health and a successful future, Peter

WASHINGTON -- After the House of Representatives voted to delay country-of-origin labeling for meat, it is now the Senate's turn to weigh in on whether USDA should postpone meat labeling until September 2007. But on June 21, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved the Senate's version of the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill without any mention of the embattled labeling program. The issue could surface when the spending bill is considered June 23 by the full committee. "We weren't surprised because of the level of support for mandatory COOL for all the

Salinas, CA-based River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC has hired industry veteran Tim Meissner for the newly created position of director of sales, effective June 27. Mr. Meissner will be responsible for the Salinas corporate sales office, including retail and foodservice, f.o.b. and contract sales. He also will be involved with several operational initiatives including RFID, electronic trading, warehouse management systems and several customer service initiatives. Mr. Meissner comes to River Ranch after more than 20 years with Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc. In his career with Supervalu, Mr. Meissner