While Hurricane Wilma devastated many Florida crops in the field, it couldn't destroy the spirit of Florida's farmers, who have been replanting, rebuilding and working diligently to have fresh Florida products in grocery stores as soon as possible. But when the new harvest of fruits and vegetables arrives, shoppers might notice a slight departure from the normally pristine appearance they have been accustomed to seeing. Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, will post signs in produce section of its Florida stores letting customers know that while the fruits and vegetables might look a

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in Nogales, AZ, is a trade association that has historically represented Nogales-based companies or companies with a Nogales presence involved in growing, packing, sales and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico. Most of the products coming into Nogales are grown in the states of Sinaloa and Sonora in northwestern mainland Mexico, directly to the south of Nogales, although products coming to Nogales also originate in other parts of the country. The Baja California peninsula is an increasingly important growing area in Mexico

WASHINGTON -- In a joint effort to help the fresh produce industry ensure the highest levels of food safety, the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Produce Marketing Association released a document titled Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines For The Melon Supply Chain. Developed by a group of leading produce food safety experts and representatives of operations within the industry, the document provides food safety guidance for the entire melon supply chain. "United, PMA and our industry partners have made food safety our top priority," Dr. Jim Gorny, vice president of

The Houston Food Bank, a private non-profit organization that fights hunger by providing food and other essentials to 400 hunger-relief programs in 18 southeast Texas counties, announced the hiring of Brian Greene as president and chief executive officer. Mr. Greene, who arrived in Houston in September in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, was recruited for the position in August but delayed his move to Houston to ensure that all systems at the New Orleans food bank were securely relocated and operational. He transformed the Greater New Orleans Food Bank into the official Katrina Disaster Relief

Mike Taylor was appointed to the newly created position of director of grower relations and supply development for Global Berry Farms, headquartered in Naples, FL. He will be working from the Salinas, CA, office. The position was created as part of the company's commitment to growth and to provide support to its growers to meet the rapidly increasing demand for Naturipe products. Mr. Taylor brings more than 20 years of experience with Syngenta Seeds in horticultural production, grower relations and post-harvest to market management. Prior to joining GBF, he most recently served as senior

SALINAS, CA -- For the first time in California's trade promotion history, four trade promotion and three economic development organizations are collaborating to deliver their services through a single point of access. Area companies -- including agriculture companies -- will access the most comprehensive set of services to assist, guide and help them enter international markets. The regional collaborative program is titled GlobalCalifornia.org, and it is an easy-to-use online solution and an economic and workforce development program. The project has received government grant funding and is