Citrus Greening evolving into a frightful threat for Florida growers
The confirmation of two citrus greening finds Sept. 2 in Homestead, FL, was bad enough news for those involved in Florida's $9 billion-a-year citrus industry, but by a week later, updates from APHIS National Plant Germplasm & Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, confirmed that it is much more widespread than originally thought.
Early September freezes will affect Chilean fruit deal
Scattered freezes in Chile are expected to have at least some minor impact on the upcoming Chilean fruit deal. Two Chilean fruit importers told The Produce News Sept. 19 that Chile's fruit industry has many microclimates in many growing areas, which are spread across much of the long country.
Because of this diversity, the Chilean fruit industry tends to be protected from a single major disaster. The diversity also makes it difficult to have a fast read on where the damage may be worst in cold times, which crops were most affected and how extensive the damage might be.
Governor signs bill supporting consumption of California strawberries in schools
On Sept. 15, at the first-of-its-kind Gov.'s Summit on Health, Nutrition & Obesity in Sacramento, CA, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed several bills that will help combat the states obesity crisis and improve the health of Californians, particularly school-age children.
Gaspari Farms wins 13 ribbons at 2005 Mushroom Festival
Gaspari Farms in Temple, PA, a grower of high-quality fresh mushrooms, surpassed all other growers with 13 ribbons at the 20th annual Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square, PA.
The company received three blue ribbons for first-place recognitions, five red ribbons for second-place honors and five yellow ribbons for third place.
New York apple growers to provide support to retailers
The New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, will be offering a full-service promotion support program this fall in an effort to help retailers throughout the United States sell more apples during the 2005-06 apple season.
"Our number one goal is to help retailers drive sales," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, which represents the state's 695 apple orchards, said in a statement.
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Rep. Pombo says global market competition to drive next farm bill
WASHINGTON The next farm bill will need to reflect the reality that it is not about Florida growers competing with California growers anymore, said Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA). It is about a global economy and major changes that will need to be made to make U.S. producers competitive in the marketplace.
Banana industry shaken by yet another hurricane: Rita
"Freeport has been closed due to a U.S. Coast Guard order, so we are diverting scheduled shipments there to Port Everglades, Florida," Mike Mitchell, spokesman for Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati, said on the afternoon of Sept. 21.
Mr. Mitchell referred to the port of Freeport, TX, which became an alternative banana receiving port for Chiquita after Hurricane Katrina destroyed Chiquita and Dole's port facilities in Gulfport, MS, on Aug. 29.
Capurro Marketing hires Kevin Murphy as president
Moss Landing, CA-based Capurro Marketing LLC has hired Kevin Murphy to the newly created position of president of the company, effective Sept. 6.
New Jersey eggplant business makes most of local connections
The successful teaming of a New Jersey eggplant processor with a New Jersey eggplant farmer took an unexpected route through Chicago.
Last May at the annual FMI show in Chicago, New Jersey businessman Tom Hoversen approached Al Murray, director of the division of markets for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, with one simple question: Where could he locate a New Jersey farmer growing eggplant to supply his COMARCO Products Inc. of Camden with some of the 6.5 million pounds of eggplant it processes in a year?