Produce News
October 28, 2010
Shortage of large lemons could last through December
The U.S. may be short on large lemons through the end of the year.
Weather-related issues in the U.S., Chile and Argentina caused a domino effect that has supplies of lemons size 115 and larger down significantly for the fall and winter, primarily affecting retailers and club stores that prefer the larger sizes. .
By Ashley Bentley - The Packer [Read more...]
Shortage of large lemons could last through December
The U.S. may be short on large lemons through the end of the year.
Weather-related issues in the U.S., Chile and Argentina caused a domino effect that has supplies of lemons size 115 and larger down significantly for the fall and winter, primarily affecting retailers and club stores that prefer the larger sizes. .
By Ashley Bentley - The Packer [Read more...]
October 27, 2010
Large export crop not likely to soften domestic prices
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — For the second time this century, the California navel orange industry is on the verge of a near-record crop. Most of the state’s other citrus varieties also could see volume increases over the 2009-10 deal.
By Don Schrack - The Packer [Read more...]
Large export crop not likely to soften domestic prices
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — For the second time this century, the California navel orange industry is on the verge of a near-record crop. Most of the state’s other citrus varieties also could see volume increases over the 2009-10 deal.
By Don Schrack - The Packer [Read more...]
Septemebr 21, 2010
USDA Seeks Public Feedback on National Organic Standards Board
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2010—The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting the public to participate in the biannual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Oct. 25–28, 2010, in Madison, Wis. The meeting is an opportunity for the organic community to provide recommendations and discuss topics concerning organic agriculture.
by Sue Kim - USDA [Read more...]
USDA Seeks Public Feedback on National Organic Standards Board
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2010—The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting the public to participate in the biannual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Oct. 25–28, 2010, in Madison, Wis. The meeting is an opportunity for the organic community to provide recommendations and discuss topics concerning organic agriculture.
by Sue Kim - USDA [Read more...]
Septemebr 17, 2010
Food safety takes center stage at Florida tomato meeting
NAPLES, FL — The world of food safety moves fast. In fact, it moves so fast that the self-written, just-imposed, state-regulated guidelines the Florida tomato industry adopted earlier this year are already being tweaked, experts told attendees on opening day of the 2010 Florida Tomato Committee conference held Sept. 7-12 at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, here.
by Chip Carter - Produce News
[Read more...]
September 9, 2010
Growers make it personal with California avocado marketing
"Authenticity" has long been a watchword of the California Avocado Commission and never more than with the inception of the California avocado grower marketing campaign. This season, California avocado growers have elevated their level of involvement in the consumer campaign by making personal appearances at retailer events and by interacting with consumers as well as with the media to create personalized marketing experiences.
The Produce News [Read more...]
Growers make it personal with California avocado marketing
"Authenticity" has long been a watchword of the California Avocado Commission and never more than with the inception of the California avocado grower marketing campaign. This season, California avocado growers have elevated their level of involvement in the consumer campaign by making personal appearances at retailer events and by interacting with consumers as well as with the media to create personalized marketing experiences.
The Produce News [Read more...]
September 1, 2010
USDA Enhances Enforcement of Organic Standards
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service today issued new procedures that will increase the effectiveness of enforcing national organic standards. Operating procedures are now in effect for the National Organic Program (NOP) to ensure that all complaints of alleged violations and civil penalties are consistently handled.
by Soo Kim - USDA [Read more...]
USDA Enhances Enforcement of Organic Standards
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service today issued new procedures that will increase the effectiveness of enforcing national organic standards. Operating procedures are now in effect for the National Organic Program (NOP) to ensure that all complaints of alleged violations and civil penalties are consistently handled.
by Soo Kim - USDA [Read more...]
August 25, 2010
USDA to Increase PACA Licensing Fees after 15 Years
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2010 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be increasing the annual license fees under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The last time USDA raised the PACA license fees was in 1995. Signficant cost cutting measures including increased use of automation, consolidation of offices and streamlined operations delayed the need for a fee increase prior to this.
by Soo Kim - USDA [Read more...]
USDA to Increase PACA Licensing Fees after 15 Years
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2010 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be increasing the annual license fees under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The last time USDA raised the PACA license fees was in 1995. Signficant cost cutting measures including increased use of automation, consolidation of offices and streamlined operations delayed the need for a fee increase prior to this.
by Soo Kim - USDA [Read more...]
August 25, 2010
USDA to test incentives for SNAP enrollees to buy more produce
WASHINGTON -- Starting next fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to launch a new pilot program that offers incentives for low-income Americans to purchase more fruits and vegetables under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Massachusetts will operate the Healthy Incentives Pilot and enroll 7,500 randomly selected SNAP households, which will receive financial incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables. For every dollar participants spend on fruits and vegetables using their SNAP electronic benefit transfer cards, 30 cents will be added to their benefit balance, thus cutting the cost of fruits and vegetables by almost one-third, said USDA. "This pilot project will empower low-income Americans to eat more nutritious food and has the potential to strengthen the SNAP program that serves as a critical safety net to the most vulnerable in our society," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an Aug. 19 press statement. “Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially in the place of higher-calorie foods, can help move America towards healthier lifestyles and a healthier future.” The state's Hampden County was selected to test the program and Cambridge, MA-based Abt Associates Inc. will evaluate the impact of the pilot in increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and improving the diets of participants.
by Joan Murphy - Produce News [Read more...]
USDA to test incentives for SNAP enrollees to buy more produce
WASHINGTON -- Starting next fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to launch a new pilot program that offers incentives for low-income Americans to purchase more fruits and vegetables under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Massachusetts will operate the Healthy Incentives Pilot and enroll 7,500 randomly selected SNAP households, which will receive financial incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables. For every dollar participants spend on fruits and vegetables using their SNAP electronic benefit transfer cards, 30 cents will be added to their benefit balance, thus cutting the cost of fruits and vegetables by almost one-third, said USDA. "This pilot project will empower low-income Americans to eat more nutritious food and has the potential to strengthen the SNAP program that serves as a critical safety net to the most vulnerable in our society," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an Aug. 19 press statement. “Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially in the place of higher-calorie foods, can help move America towards healthier lifestyles and a healthier future.” The state's Hampden County was selected to test the program and Cambridge, MA-based Abt Associates Inc. will evaluate the impact of the pilot in increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and improving the diets of participants.
by Joan Murphy - Produce News [Read more...]
August 25, 2010
Cold weather still affecting Peruvian asparagus production
A very cold winter in the Southern Hemisphere country of Peru has hampered asparagus production and should continue to have an impact through the month of September, according to one of the leading importers of the commodity.
by Tim Linden - Produce News [Read more...]
Cold weather still affecting Peruvian asparagus production
A very cold winter in the Southern Hemisphere country of Peru has hampered asparagus production and should continue to have an impact through the month of September, according to one of the leading importers of the commodity.
by Tim Linden - Produce News [Read more...]
August 25, 2010
2010 apple crop looks smaller than last year
CHICAGO -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting the 2010 U.S. apple crop at 226 million bushels (42-pound equivalents), 10.4 million bushels fewer than last year's production and 3.7 million bushels below the five-year average.
by Tim Linden - Produce News [Read more...]
2010 apple crop looks smaller than last year
CHICAGO -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting the 2010 U.S. apple crop at 226 million bushels (42-pound equivalents), 10.4 million bushels fewer than last year's production and 3.7 million bushels below the five-year average.
by Tim Linden - Produce News [Read more...]
