Month: January 2014

“On behalf of the members of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), we would like to take the opportunity to comment on the proposed Foreign Supplier Verification Program rule. The FPAA represents U.S. companies involved in the growing, harvesting, and importation of fresh produce grown in Mexico and distributed throughout North America.” …

Backyard Farms announced its new partnership with Chef Mary Ann Esposito of Ciao Italia, America's longest running television cooking show. Backyard Farms, the largest grower of year-round tomatoes in New England, will team up with Esposito in 2014 to create delicious, original tomato-centric recipes and share tomato cooking tips. The two plan to share the recipes and tips via digital and social media. …

Diane Finley, the Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk and Minister Responsible for Southwestern Ontario, announced, on behalf of her colleague Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, that the Harper Government is investing up to $512,700 into research to help grow local asparagus markets. This project, funded under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, will improve the amount of asparagus, its quality, and help in making the crops more resistant to disease. …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), are sponsoring a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items, and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV). The 18th session will be held in Thailand, Feb. 24-28, 2014. …

The United Fresh Produce Association congratulates the House of Representatives for passing the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the Farm Bill) by a vote of 251-166 today. The Farm Bill conference report provides an overall increase in investment of 55 percent over 2008 Farm Bill funding levels in critical produce industry initiatives and programs. …