Produce

Congress is poised to scrap funding for the only program that consistently tests select vegetables and fruit for pathogens — an initiative that’s led to about 30 recalls since 2009. …

Oceanside Pole tomatoes are back, and better than ever. So says Aaron Quon, vegetable category director for The Oppenheimer Group. Since the full-service marketer and distributor created a partnership with renowned vine-ripe tomato producer Harry Singh, Jr. — innovator of the Oceanside Pole growing method — last winter, Quon has been impressed by Mr. Singh’s operation as well as the response from retailers. …

Gourmet Trading Company, North American distributor of fresh Asparagus and Blueberries, is excited to promote its Green Giant Fresh® products featuring Box Tops For Education® for Back to School. The company first joined the Green Giant Fresh and Box Tops for Education program last fall with its Bagged Fresh Asparagus and recently expanded its product line with Fresh Blueberries. …

Tomato growers across Mexico are united in their opposition to efforts by some U.S. tomato growers to bring down the agreement that has brought stability to the market for sixteen years. CAADES Sinaloa, A.C., Consejo Agrícola de Baja California, A.C., Asociación Mexicana de Horticultura Protegida, A.C. (AMHPAC), Union Agricola Regional de Sonora Productores de Hortalizas Frutas y Legumbres, Confederacion Nacional de Productores de Hortalizas, and Mexico’s Sistema Producto Tomate issue this combined statement in response to this recent action. …

Purity Organic Produce (formerly Pacific Organic Produce) is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Sandell to the Purity Team. …