Produce

In conjunction with this year's PMA Fresh Summit, Deardorff Family Farms joined a select group of growers and distributors of Ventura County to invite fresh produce industry members into their backyards for the Ventura County Sustainability Exchange (VCSE). …

Village Farms is pleased to announce that all votes have been tallied and our exclusive authentic variety ‘Heavenly Villagio Marzano®’ won the distinction of best tasting tomato during PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA.  Visitors to Village Farms exhibit that took part in the Garden Fresh Flavor™ Challenge voted on their favorite tomato among three varieties during a blind taste test.  Heavenly Villagio Marzano®, an extremely flavorful San Marzano type of tomato, won the challenge.   …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that south Texas onion producers will vote from Nov. 3 – 17, 2014, on whether to continue their federal marketing order. …

Sakata Seed America, Inc. announces this week the launch of the company’s Watermelon Plant Program for the Southeast. Effective immediately, young transplants of Sakata’s Bold Ruler and Affirmed triploid watermelon varieties and Ace and SSX8585 pollenizers are available to order through Siegers Seed Company, Seedway Inc., Champion Seed Company and Clifton Seed Company. …

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced nearly $118 million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants were authorized through the 2014 Farm Bill as part of an effort to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and provide resources to strengthen American agriculture. POWer Fresh Kids was a recipient of a $50,000 grant.  Power Fresh Kids owns the POWer PLAY'te program that has been used in Yuma, Arizona area schools for the past 2 1/2 years. …