08/31/2010 11:00AM
By
Tom Karst
This comment raises the issue of OSHA protections for farmworkers and was submitted recently by Farmworker Justice.
08/31/2010 09:47AM
By
Tom Karst
Can truckers be trusted to transport food safely? A leading trucking association says the industry has a good track record and asks regulators to keep that in mind.
08/30/2010 01:13PM
By
Tom Karst
More on the "Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act: Impact on Post Default Agreements on Trust Protection Eligibility," this from long time industry veteran Ted Campbell at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association
08/29/2010 10:18AM
We just passed the 900 member mark for the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group on LinkedIn. The discussion group features headline feeds from The Packer and ongoing and member-generated discussion threads on PTI, fruit and vegetable promotion efforts, the food safety bill and more. I look forward to surpassing the 1,000 member mark before too long, thanks to a reader such as yourself who is not yet a member but now sees the light. The link to join is here.
Following are some fruit and vegetable links you may want to review and follow up for your weekend reading.
08/27/2010 12:40PM
By
Tom Karst
I had the chance to chat on Aug. 20 with Leighton Romney, chief executive officer of importer Paquime, Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico.
08/27/2010 12:29PM
By
Tom Karst
I had the chance to chat on Aug. 17 with Frank Gasperini, executive vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Agricultural Employers. You can read the entire chat online at thepacker.com/freshtalk.
08/25/2010 04:58PM
By
Tom Karst
Aging consumers may need a less crisp, less sweet apple. Right!
08/24/2010 11:42PM
By
Tom Karst
I was recently talking with a supplier who had good words about Wal Mart. Speaking on background, the supplier told me this simple statement: "No one has ever gone out of business selling to Wal Mart."
08/24/2010 12:34PM
By
Tom Karst
Does a doubling in the PACA annual fee seem kinder and gentler when you are informed that the annual fee hasn't been raised since 1995? Not to the guy who has to write the check. Still, the PACA has indeed announced a big increase in the annual license fee. Here is the summary of the rule from the Federal Register notice, and the comments put forward by the industry on this issue:
08/19/2010 11:33AM
By
Tom Karst
It is exciting to hear that the USDA finally announced the Healthy Incentive Pilot program. The Packer will have some reaction coverage next week; I'm sure Lorelei and others are anxious to weigh in on this. Here is what the USDA has said so far about its plans, in the press release below. . For a first take, I like the design of the plan, cutting the cost of fruits and vegetables by about one third - a substantial incentive.