Month: August 2015

Officials say a fruit processing and cold storage facility could bring up to 200 jobs to southwestern Michigan. The Michigan Blueberry Growers Association in 2012 bought 42 acres in South Haven. The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reports (http://bit.ly/1KxjAHT ) the group, now called MBG Marketing, recently secured a utility incentive agreement worth up to $150,000. …

World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), takes place every year on October 20 to emphasize the importance of bone health. This year, Sunsweet is joining the IOF as a nutrition supporter for WOD, with the goal of helping people lead healthier lives and reduce the preventable risk of osteoporosis. …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for peanut producers and industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. …

Imports of Fair Trade Certified™ produce rose 26% in 2014, as reported by Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America. This marks the biggest year yet for the organization’s Produce and Floral category, helping farm workers and small producers earn over $5.5 million in additional Community Development Premiums ($18 million since the program launched in 2004).  This continued growth reflects a rising demand—from both shoppers and retailers—for products that support better livelihoods for the people who grow our food.  …

Cross contamination in commercial processing facilities that prepare spinach and other leafy greens for the market can make people sick. But researchers are reporting a new, easy-to-implement method that could eliminate or reduce such incidences. …